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One of the thing we have tried hard in the DMAE program at LSU is to use as many industry standard tools and processes when developing our projects. We favor working with partners on active projects as opposed to simple assignments or student led work - though we still do plenty of self directed work. It forces the teams to work with clients, adapt and learn now to compromise.

Two of the unsexy tools we use regularly is Jira and Perforce. Keeping track of work and managing a source of truth in a large team is difficult on most projects. We have worked out effective ways to have C++ project in Unreal and sheltering the artists and designers from having to install visual studio.

We have worked closely with our partners who have helped us use their tools and teach them effectively. One of those partners in Perforce and we use it in most game jams and pretty much all of our projects. Some students use it to track their own personal projects as they go through the program. Version control is a challenge to get used to and is a challenge to incorporate in the classroom. I am proud of the students who learn to appreciate it and maybe even like it by the end.