UCF’s Training Ground for Serious Fun and Games
UCF’s Training Ground for Serious Fun and Games
UCF’s Training Ground for Serious Fun and Games
Robert Stephens
November, 24, 2025
Summary
Over the past 20 years, UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) has graduated more than 1,000 alumni prepared for careers in the growing $450 billion gaming industry and beyond. While many work for major entertainment companies, others apply game design skills to “serious gaming” fields such as military and defense training. Alumni like Brenda Raza, Katie Ferguson, and Mike Harris use immersive simulations to improve military readiness, safety, and efficiency. Drawing on backgrounds in design, gaming, and military service, they create realistic training tools that replace manuals and enhance real-world performance.
Reference
Stephens, R. (2025, November 24). UCF’s training ground for serious fun and games. University of Central Florida News. https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucfs-training-ground-for-serious-fun-and-games/