Nintendo is currently taking applications for student attendees for game seminars, seeing it as an "ideal chance for you to experience game design in an environment not found in standard student life." The seminars will be given from June until the end of next March, meeting once a week for three hours to address topics such as design, environmental elements, GBA development, etc.

Only thirty applicants will be accepted. If the number of applicants exceeds this amount (I wonder), they will administer a written exam and interviews to select the participants.

Schedule:

June: Orientation and entrance ceremony

June-July: Every week, Thurs. 6:30-9:30PM

August: "Summer concentration lodging." (Possibly a retreat of some sort.)

August-December: Every week, Thurs. 6:30-9:30PM

December: Mid-term presentations

January-March: Every week, Thurs. 6:30-9:30PM

March: Exit ceremony

Fees:

Free: All expenses paid by Nintendo. Required materials will be lent to students by Nintendo.

Location:

Nintendo Corporation Tokyo Office (Chiyoda-ku Kandasuda-cho 1-22), about 5 minutes walk from the JR Kanda station, or 2 minutes from the Ginza Line station.

Contents:

Game planning, program design, sound, game development knowledge, techniques, lectures from Nintendo game developers, advice for aspiring game developers, and development of a GBA game. (It sounds like participants will actually be creating a game in these seminars.)

It's an exciting opportunity for any aspiring designer and especially for those that are Nintendo fans. If you think you might qualify, head to Nintendo's official site for more info.

Japanese Correspondent Chris Bethea assisted with this article.