International Business Management Studies in Applied Games Management

The serious gaming market is already a multi-billion dollar industry, growing at a slow, but steady pace as games and simulations designed for education and training purposes gain acceptance. Industry estimates range from $2 – $10 billion in revenue for the serious games space, depending on how much of the market for games, simulations and virtual worlds are included in the calculation. The US and Europe are now known as the biggest potential markets for the serious gaming industry.

A serious game or applied game is a game designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. The "serious" adjective is generally prepended to refer to products used by industries like defense, education, scientific exploration, health care, emergency management, city planning, engineering, and politics.

Managing companies operating in the Applied Games industry requires peculiar and specialized skills and knowledge that are usually not covered by traditional general management programs. Nowadays applied games require a new breed of managers, capable of managing both business, innovation and creative imperatives. The goal of the program is to ensure participants develop a global vision of the applied games sector, some solid marketing and managerial abilities and the capacity to engage with innovation and creativity.

Do you have an international mindset, a specific interest in entering the applied games sector and an interest in acquiring managerial, entrepreneurial or marketing expertise in the applied games industry?

Are you a sales-oriented student willing to develop an international career in applied games distribution and/or do you want to set up a company in the applied games industry?

Then the Bachelor program International Business Management Studies in Applied Games Management is the right choice for you!

First Year

During the first year, you will be introduced to the international market from the perspective of an international marketer, an international manager, or an international communications manager, always with a special focus on your target group. General management and communication skills (taught in English) are an integral part of the program. Throughout your education, various modules and training will contribute to the (real-life) projects in which you will participate. During these projects, you will learn a lot about how to function in an international business environment.

Second Year

During the second year, you will be working on your operational skills and learn how to identify business-related issues from a tactical point of view. You will see the international market through the eyes of a Financial Manager, an Export Manager or a Sales Manager for Applied Games. You will also participate in a project concerning the creation of a genuine company. You will end this year with a ten-week orientation internship in the applied gaming branches.

Third Year

The third year we will look at the applied games industry from the perspective of a business development manager, a management consultant or a product manager. As part of the program, we will also visit the US.

Fourth Year

This year you will be performing an international internship in an applied games company. From our experience, we know that working as a trainee is a perfect stepping stone to a career in the international applied games industry. You conclude this last year with writing your thesis. The thesis is the concluding highlight of your study. You are advising an international organization in the applied games industry on a problem they experience or an opportunity they want to explore. You work within a theoretical framework and carry out research in this organization in order to provide them with a good advice. Using the knowledge, skills, and experience you have achieved during your study, you are expected to do research, analyze data and doing specific recommendations to solve the business problem.

Duration

4 years