Arizona State University announced a new partnership with global esports and gaming organization Gen.G to create a direct pathway for young people to pursue careers in the gaming and creative technology industries in Los Angeles.
The initiative connects youth programs with Arizona State University’s GAME School, which operates within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and is designed to guide students from early exposure to gaming-focused education toward professional opportunities in the broader creative technology sector. The partnership combines academic training with hands-on industry experience through Gen.G, helping students explore roles in gaming business operations, marketing, esports events and emerging technologies.
The collaboration reflects growing student interest in gaming and digital platforms. Structured gaming-based learning programs have been associated with stronger engagement, improved attendance, and skill development in areas such as collaboration, problem-solving, and executive functioning. Arizona State University and Gen.G intend to channel that interest into structured academic and workforce pathways, including industry-aligned skill development, micro-credentials, and exposure to fields spanning gaming, media, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies.
The first initiative under the partnership will be the Gen.G Gaming Career Summer Camp @ ASU LA, scheduled to take place from June through August at the ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles. The program will be open to high school students in grades nine through twelve, as well as college students interested in exploring careers connected to gaming, entertainment, and emerging technologies.
Participants can enroll in weekly modules or attend programs lasting up to four weeks. The curriculum will include modules covering business and monetization in the gaming industry, marketing and social media content creation, esports operations and media production, and the future of gaming through artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Each week will feature capstone projects, guest speakers from the industry and the opportunity for participants to earn an Arizona State University digital micro-credential.
Registration for the summer camp is open through May 29, with early bird pricing available for students who enroll by April 30. Program costs range from $499 to $1,699 depending on the number of modules selected, with prices expected to increase in May.
Through the program, Arizona State University and Gen.G aim to develop a talent pipeline that allows students to turn their passion for gaming into long-term academic and career opportunities in the rapidly growing gaming and esports ecosystem.
KEY QUOTES
“One of the reasons ASU earns our repeated #1 ranking in innovation and #2 in employability is because we identify excellent partners that enrich outcomes for all learners. This ASU-Gen.G collaboration will empower youth to tap into their passion for gaming and build successful and fulfilling careers.”
Renée Cheng, Senior Vice Provost And Dean, Herberger Institute For Design And The Arts, Arizona State University
“Education has been a core pillar for Gen.G since we launched our Gen.G Global Academy in Seoul in 2019 and have grown it to be the largest gaming-focused high school academy in the world. It has served as our blueprint to help aspiring gamers turn play into a diploma and a career. We’ve been working with ASU for some time and believe by combining ASU’s academic muscle with our global expertise within gaming and esports, we have the winning formula to drive the next generation. I’m also excited to share that I will be joining ASU as a Professor of Practice, an opportunity that allows me to further embed Gen.G’s industry expertise into the classroom and directly support students as they prepare for careers in gaming, esports, and technology.”
Arnold Hur, Chief Executive Officer, Gen.G
