DeVry University Students Form Studio and Publish Video Game — All Before Graduating!

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The video game industry is notorious for being tough to break into as a new career. So, three students enrolled in DeVry University’s Game and Simulation Programming (GSP) bachelor’s degree program decided they’d bypass merely working for a game studio and set out to launch their own development and publishing company—almost an entire year before graduation. Making this accomplishment even more impressive is the fact that all three students live in separate states on opposite sides of the country.

“CellZenith represents guerilla game-making at its best”

Michael Dehen (23), Nathan Follmer (21), and Eric Totten (27) are pursuing their degrees through DeVry University’s online program. Within a few weeks of posting to their online classes, their passions for developing games cemented a collegiate bond and created the foundation for an entrepreneurial venture. They formed Faramix Enterprises in mid-2007 and established their official studio headquarters in Los Angeles, where Dehen lives. With Follmer residing in Pennsylvania and Totten in New Jersey, the three students continue to study at DeVry while having just brought their first game title, CellZenith, to the commercial market with a September 30 launch (www.cellzenith.com).

CellZenith, which early fans are calling it the next Geometry Wars, is off to a great start by any measure, whether produced by a fresh entry into the game development arena or a venerable studio. CellZenith recently received a 9 out of 10 review and a “Gold Award” from Gamer’s Daily News. Faramix founders Dehen and Totten will be soliciting additional industry and peer reviews during the E for All Expo, October 3 through 5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. E for All attendees can meet CellZenith’s creators and test-drive the game at the DeVry University booth (#937) daily at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

“CellZenith represents guerilla game-making at its best,” said Ricci Rukavina, a former vice president at Walt Disney and current president of the recently formed (and yet to officially launch) Loose Cannon Studios who has become a mentor to the Faramix founders. “It's proof positive of how a very small agile team of passionate gamemakers can achieve something extraordinary against the odds in today’s multi-million dollar development climate."

Dehen, Follmer, and Totten have embarked on a quest to join Activision co-founder David Crane and former EA Sports producer Steve Cartwright as trailblazers in the video game industry who call DeVry their alma mater. Crane (DeVry ’75), is an industry pioneer who developed games for Atari before co-founding both Activision and, subsequently, Absolute Entertainment. He is currently the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer for interactive entertainment content provider Skyworks Interactive. Cartwright (DeVry ’77), began his career with Crane at Activision and would later create the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR franchise and oversee the development of EA’s first online multiplayer game servers. After successful ventures into the mobile games arena with Glu Mobile, he’s currently working at a stealth startup in the Bay Area and is an in-demand industry conference speaker. Dehen, Follmer and Totten now have a chance to walk in their idols’ footsteps—both in the industry they love and, eventually, at DeVry’s spring and fall 2009 graduation commencements, after the trio earn their degrees.

“What these students have illustrated with their accomplishments is the immense empowerment afforded by distant learning opportunities in higher education,” said Professor Ellen Crimi of DeVry University’s Game and Simulation Programming program. “Three students, separated by thousands of miles, can collaborate not only on class projects, but can foster the synergies needed to create a successful business before they even graduate.”

Driven by explosive market demand for an educated talent pool with specific skill sets, DeVry University first began offering a Game and Simulation Programming bachelor’s degree program in spring 2006. Also driven by the unique needs of the game market, DeVry’s GSP program was made available completely online later the same year. DeVry’s offering of the program both on-site and online—or a combination of both—provides those looking to launch a career in the game and simulation industries with flexibility.

Attendees at the 2008 E for All Expo (October 3-5) can meet Faramix’s Michael Dehen and Eric Totten to learn more about DeVry University’s Game and Simulation Programming bachelor’s degree program in booth #937. For additional information about DeVry University’s GSP program, visit www.devry.edu.

About DeVry University

As one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North America, DeVry University provides high-quality, career-oriented associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, healthcare technology, business and management. More than 57,000 students are enrolled at its 92 locations in 26 states and Canada, as well as through DeVry University Online. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA), www.ncahlc.org. DeVry University, a division of DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information about DeVry University, visit http://www.devry.edu.