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Computer characters like Lara Croft could soon be created by students in south Wales with the launch of a new degree course.
Staff at the University of Wales College Newport will teach students how to create computer characters.
It will run alongside a computer programming course and will begin running in September.
Lecturer James Manning said that the university was responding to industry needs by starting the courses.
Students who are accepted onto the computer games design course will spend three years learning how to create iconic characters such as Lara Croft and Super Mario.
The course which is awaiting validation has taken a year to design and the university, which is already well known for its animation studies, is expecting it to be popular.
"I am sure that this course is going to appeal to a lot of students," said James Manning.
"But we are aiming to take on those who have talent for artistic work because this is all about design and creativity.
"There are other courses running about computer gaming but ours is quite unique because it is centred around the design and look of the game rather than the programming.
"The UK games production industry is the largest in Europe, and second only to the USA and Japan in terms of creativity and originality.
"The industry is centred around a core of relatively small but highly productive companies that rely on a flexible and multi-skilled workforce."
He said that the new course would give students access to a range of current software.
And would enable them to build creative skills and conceptual agility needed at a professional level within the computer games industry.
"We have noticed that a lot of the animation students who have graduated are moving into work involving computer design and by setting up this course we are reacting to that shift," said Mr Manning.
"This course in particular is geared towards the design of the characters and the game rather than the actual programming of the game.
"And we are working with established firms in the industry to advise us on what is required," he added.
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BBC Online
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