ABOUT UAT
University of Advancing Technology is an elite, private college that serves its student body by fostering knowledge creation and academic excellence in an environment that embraces the young technophiles of the world. With three centers of research and a suite of technology-centered undergraduate and graduate degrees, the University is a recognized leader in technology education.
The means for cleaner energy is a prominent driver in environmental technologies. The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a leader in a variety of technological fields and the movement towards understanding cleaner energy is a key focus of its Environmental Science courses. UAT offers a series of three Environmental Science courses to help students better understand the current paradigm shift towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and technological world.
The first environmental course UAT offers—SCI-350 Environmental Perspectives—is a holistic study of the science behind sustainability challenges and how new technologies are being - and will continue to be—adapted to changing our way of life. The course focuses on evaluating the history of environmentalism in our modern culture, understanding the key components between economics and the environment, introducing students to climate change and global warming, and evaluating the importance of environmental policy, specifically as it relates to technologies changing our energy sectors, as we attempt to move away from fossil fuels to more clean, renewable energy resources.
The second environmental course UAT offers is a course focused specifically on past energy generation techniques and the future technologies of a clean energy grid. The course is rightfully named SCI-330 Green Technologies. The course reviews the history of fossil fuels and their impact on the North American electric grid system. The course then takes an in-depth look at the development and uses of solar, wind, hydro, and other emerging clean energy technologies. The course finishes evaluating possible future clean and green technological solutions to our ever-modernized world.
The final environmental science course UAT offers provides students with a hands-on study of the practical applications of sustainability science. SCI-345 Sustainability in Practice is a course split into multiple sections, with topics ranging from sustainable food production, to limiting trash waste, to understanding water depletion and pollution, to evaluating the use of plastics within our society. However, one of the more popular topics within the course is its focus on clean energy technologies that can be put to use globally. Understanding the need for energy beyond the traditional electrical grid systems, students engage in an engineering design process to build a simple solar-powered oven that could be developed and put to use anywhere around the world. They then analyze their data and determine the best means to develop better designs for future models so as to support those most in need of simple, clean, renewable energy generation systems.
Newer clean energy systems will continue to advance and look to dominate the future of a more sustainable society. As the U.S. and the world look to move towards this goal of a more sustainable future, UAT will continue to play its part in helping students recognize past energy-generating systems and support students in seeking to develop the technologies that will continue to drive mankind towards cleaner energy-generating systems.
In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to balance work, school and life is greater than ever before. With the rise of online education, many people are choosing to pursue a degree while working or managing other responsibilities, such as a family or taking care of loved ones. However, with this convenience comes the concern of how to balance everything without sacrificing one's mental health or academic performance. At the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we understand that initially there may be some concerns, but in the long run, pursuing a degree is worth it!
One of the biggest concerns for online college students is how to balance school, work and life. It's not uncommon for students to feel overwhelmed by the demands of their studies and their other responsibilities. Here are some tips to help you balance everything:
Create a schedule—A schedule will help you stay organized and manage your time effectively. Make sure to include time for studying, work and personal activities. This will help you set realistic goals and know what you can accomplish without stretching yourself too thin.
Prioritize—Determine the most important tasks and focus on completing those first. This will help you avoid procrastination and manage your time more efficiently. By prioritizing, you can effectively manage those sudden and unexpected things that tend to pop up in your lives. This can be incredibly helpful in preventing falling behind on your commitments and responsibilities, ultimately reducing stress levels.
Use Your Resources—Take advantage of the resources available to you, such as online tutoring, study groups and time-management apps. This may seem like an obvious one, but when you're in the thick of it, it's easy to overlook your resources.
Practice Self-Care—Make time for yourself and engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. This will help you maintain your mental health and avoid burnout. Schedule this into your routine. If you don't and your schedule fills up, it'll be last on your list and it will drain you. Make yourself a priority!
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While trying to balance everything can be challenging, pursuing a degree is worth it in the long run. Here are some reasons why:
Career Advancement—A degree opens up new career opportunities or helps you advance in your current career. Many employers require a degree for higher-level positions, and having a degree can demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to your field.
Personal Growth—Pursuing a degree can also help you grow personally and intellectually. You will learn new skills, expand your knowledge and gain a sense of accomplishment from completing a degree program.
Networking Opportunities—Online degree programs often provide networking opportunities with classmates, alumni, and faculty members. These connections can be valuable for career advancement and personal growth.
Balancing school, work and life can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By establishing a routine, prioritizing tasks, making use of available resources, and taking care of yourself, you can effectively handle your obligations. Obtaining a degree is a worthwhile investment that can enhance your career, broaden your professional prospects, foster personal development and offer valuable networking opportunities. So, don't abandon your aspirations for higher education—with resilience, commitment and encouragement, you can accomplish your goals.
Ah, student life on a college campus—the perfect blend of studying and socializing. 📚😎 College is not just about studying and earning a degree. It's also about exploring yourself, discovering your passions and connecting with like-minded individuals. At the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we recognize the importance of cultivating a rich student life experience. That's why we offer a wide range of activities and clubs that cater to various interests and hobbies. Being involved in student life on campus might not be as important as studying, but it's definitely up there when it comes to a well-rounded college experience!
UAT's student life offers a chance to build lasting connections with your peers and forge lifelong friendships. You're now creating your own college story, and soon enough you'll have your own set of best friends to share it with. Apart from cultivating meaningful friendships, participating in student life is an excellent way to network and form bonds with like-minded individuals in your chosen field of study.
Whether you're a gamer, musician, artist or have any other passion, there's a club or activity for you at UAT. Joining a club not only allows you to pursue your interests but also gives you the opportunity to meet people who share the same passion. You can learn from each other, collaborate on projects and create something incredible together.
But what's even more exciting is the chance to discover a new hobby or interest. Who knows, maybe you've never tried painting before but find yourself intrigued by the Art Club's work. Or perhaps you've never played a tabletop game but become interested after attending a game night hosted in Founder's Hall. UAT's diverse range of student clubs and activities provides a space for exploration and growth.
Getting involved in student life can also provide you with a platform to express your opinions and stand up for the causes you believe in. At UAT, we encourage students to consider joining Geek RHO, a student organization that provides an opportunity to engage in the politics and culture of our campus community. You can participate in weekly meetings held in the Theater, stay updated on events and issues happening around campus, and even run for student office. By taking part in these experiences, you can gain valuable insights into the real world and develop essential leadership skills that will serve you well in your future endeavors.
Finally, student life is also incredibly enjoyable! There are countless opportunities to participate in campus events and activities such as movie night 🎥🍿, paint night 🎨 and game night 🧩. You can check out the monthly calendar in the Founder's Hall lobby and select the events you're interested in attending. So, don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and explore the student life opportunities that UAT has to offer. You never know what passions and connections you'll discover.
This Mother's Day weekend we want to celebrate all mothers and highlight one of our own, University of Advancing Technology (UAT) student and mother to two young boys ages 3 and 1, Sanyerlis Vanessa Camacaro. Vanessa is an online student majoring in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and we recently caught up with her about her successes and artwork that was featured in Times Square in New York City.
What do you find most valuable about your education?
As an AI Engineering student, I have come to appreciate the practical and hands-on nature of education. For me, the most valuable aspect of learning is being able to apply my knowledge and skills to real-life situations. Through my coursework, I have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with building and testing different programming language models. This involves working on programming projects, collaborating with classmates, and receiving feedback from experienced instructors.
Overall, I believe that the practical application of education is key to preparing students for success in their future careers.
How well do you think UAT is preparing you for your career?
I strongly believe that my experience as a student at UAT has been truly exceptional. The wealth of knowledge that I have gained during my time here has been invaluable, and I have been able to apply this knowledge to various aspects of my real-life activities. Every class is shaped for your future dream career.
Thanks to the practical approach to learning at UAT, I have been able to grow professionally and gain a deeper understanding of programming languages.
Overall, being a student at UAT has been an enriching and fulfilling experience that has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the tech industry. I am confident that the skills I have gained here will serve me well in my future endeavors, and I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that UAT has provided me.
What are your favorite/most useful classes at UAT?
Throughout my time at UAT, I have had the opportunity to explore various programming languages such as Java, C#, C/C++, and Python, and I have found them to be my favorite classes.
However, beyond just programming languages, I have also taken some incredibly useful courses that have helped me develop a well-rounded skill set. These courses include Entrepreneurship to Market, which has given me valuable insights into starting and running a successful business; Communication in Technology, which has helped me improve my communication skills, especially when it comes to public speaking and writing; and Human Computer Interaction, which has taught me how to design user-friendly interfaces and applications that prioritize the needs of the user.
Which UAT professor(s) made the biggest impact on your time at UAT?
The impact that these professors have had on my learning journey has been enormous, and I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge and skills that I have been able to acquire from them. Their teachings have been instrumental in shaping my professional career, and I have been able to successfully implement what I learned from them in my day-to-day work.
If you are already employed, what is your current position and what does that job entail?
I'm a multi-talented individual with a diverse range of professional experiences. As a freelancer and business owner, I bring my unique set of skills as a Digital-AI Artist, Photographer, Web3 Event Planner, and Curator to the table. My passion for art and technology has led me to create groundbreaking experiences for my community, digital artists, and collaborations.
In addition to my entrepreneurial pursuits, I am also deeply involved in several exciting projects in the Web3 space. As the Founder of the Women in Tech Museum in Spatial.io, I'm committed to creating an inclusive space for women in the technology industry. I'm also proud to be a member of the CreativeOwls.io Metaverse team, where I work with a talented group of individuals to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Beyond my creative endeavors, I am also actively involved in the Polygon Alliance in Web3 as a Mental Health Advocate. This role allows me to use my platform to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocate for the importance of mental wellness in the workplace and web3 community.
Vanessa posing with "Voices" at the NFT NYC Conference
What project(s) are you most proud of?
The projects I've completed at UAT have been some of my proudest achievements to date. Among these projects, I am particularly proud of my ability to create programming applications in multiple languages, which has been an excellent opportunity for me to expand my skills and knowledge.
Moreover, I have also gained valuable experience in business planning and human-computer interaction design by developing a web and mobile prototype in a human-computer interaction class. This project has allowed me to explore the intricacies of user interface design, as well as the importance of creating an engaging and intuitive user experience.
In my professional life, however, I am most proud of my role in founding the Women in Tech Museum in Spatial.io. This project has been a truly fulfilling experience for me, as I have been able to contribute to a cause that I am passionate about while utilizing my skills in a meaningful way. Creating a space where women can feel empowered and recognized in the tech industry has been a dream come true, and I am thrilled to have been a part of it.
What are your career aspirations or next steps?
My career aspirations are focused on graduating as an AI Engineer and pursuing job opportunities within the web3 industry. My goal is to use my skills and knowledge to create innovative applications that serve the needs of artists and their fields. Additionally, I am passionate about continuously working on my current projects and creating more art that I can physically display and showcase. My ultimate vision is to combine my technical abilities with my creative passions to make a positive impact on the world of art and technology.
How did you get your art displayed in Times Square?
Over the past two years, I have been actively engaged in the creation and sale of Digital art as NFT, as well as networking and building within the web3 community. Through this pursuit, I have had the privilege of showcasing my artwork in over 20 virtual and physical exhibitions in cities and countries including Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Rome, Spain, and Estonia.
My work has garnered recognition and attention, leading to my acceptance into the prestigious NFT NYC Conference in April 11-14th, 2023. Two of my pieces, "Bubbles Dreams" and "Voices," were selected to be featured in the event. "Bubbles Dreams" was even chosen as the Commemorative Ticket for the conference, and "Voices" was displayed on a Times Square billboard and at the Artists Village at Hudson Yards.
I am proud to say that my art was also a part of the groundbreaking first-ever AI Fashion Week in NYC in April. These experiences have helped me to forge valuable connections and expand my reach as an artist, and I am eager to see what the future holds.
"Bubbles Dreams" on the NFT Commemorative ticket, first art piece on the left.
What is the background of the art that was displayed?
The inspiration behind my art piece, "Voices," was primarily driven by a desire to connect it with my other piece, "Bubbles Dreams," and its underlying poetic themes. Both pieces feature dreamers who are striving to keep moving forward despite the challenges they may face.
In "Voices," I wanted to capture the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity, highlighting the voices of those who refuse to give up on their dreams.
At the same time, I aimed to create a sense of connection between "Voices" and "Bubbles Dreams" through similar thematic elements. This connection helps to tie the pieces together into a cohesive artistic narrative, showcasing the power of dreams and the human spirit to overcome obstacles and push forward towards success.
Overall, my goal with "Voices" was to create a work of art that inspires and uplifts the viewer, reminding them of the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving their goals.
How long did the artwork take to complete?
Creating this artwork was a two-day journey that involved several tasks. Firstly, I had to delve into writing ideas and poetry. Then, I prompted the idea in AI until I got results that matched the idea. Finally, I spent time refining the details of the artwork using Procreate, a digital illustration software.
What medium(s) were used to create the artwork?
The primary tools utilized in the creation of this artwork were the art forms of poetry and AI, specifically the AI program Midjourney, as well as the digital art software Procreate.
What were your initial thoughts and feelings about having your art displayed in Times Square?
My initial thoughts and feelings about being accepted and having my art showcased in Times Square felt like a dream come true. I could hardly believe that my artwork was being featured in one of the most iconic and recognizable locations in the world. It was a huge milestone in my career as an artist, and I was filled with excitement and anticipation about the opportunities that would come my way.
After my showcase in April, I received a lot of positive feedback from people who had seen my work in Times Square, which was incredibly encouraging. The exposure also opened doors for me to participate in other exhibitions around the world, such as in Barcelona, Spain, and Tallinn, Estonia. Being able to showcase my art in different countries and to a diverse range of audiences has been an incredible experience.
I was especially proud to be featured in the Women in Tech Museum and Polygon Showcase #6 in Spatial.io, which are both dedicated to showcasing the work of talented women in the arts, emerging artists, and technology industries.
Overall, the experience has been surreal and transformative, and I am excited to see where my art will take me next.
Vanessa with "Voices" at the NFT NYC Conference
Our Spring 2023 Student Innovation Project (SIP) Showcase was a success! On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, University of Advancing Technology (UAT) students exhibited their innovative ideas that impressed faculty, staff, peers and the community.
Not only does she host the event, but Art Direction Professor Dapzury Valenzuela also prepares the students for their big presentation through their SIP course. Professor Valenzuela shares, "Our Spring 2023 Student Innovation Showcase at UAT was a proud moment for our staff, faculty, parents, and the local tech community to celebrate the innovative projects students developed. It's an arduous experience that requires graduating students to research, pitch, document, and execute an MVP that's unique to the marketplace. I'm so proud of the continued growth of our SIP program and the way it helps to prepare our aspiring technologists for their respective careers. UAT is always striving to push the boundaries of tech and contribute to the advancement of AI, art, business, computer science, cyber, game, marketing, robotics, video, and VR."
Real-Time Molding by Victor Robles
Project Description: Real-time molding in VR has the potential to change the way video games, engineering, prototyping, and sculpting are conducted. This feature will allow users to mold and prototype 3D objects in a virtually simulated environment, providing players with the ability to create unique objects and tools, as well as changing existing actors to suit their aesthetic and tactical wants and needs.
Degree Major: Virtual Reality (VR)
SIP URL: https://www.victorsboardssite.com/single-project
Health Synth Monitor by Melissa Hurley Tiechert (Online)
Project Description: This device is able to take the user’s heart rate, display the BPM rate and play back musical audio through a MIDI device that is connected to a speaker.
Degree Major: Robotics and Embedded Systems
SIP URL: https://heartsynthmonitor.wordpress.com/sip
A.E.O.N. by Andromeda de Ana (Online)
Project Description: AI haptic membrane with an environmental and monitoring system. This is AI with a personality.
Degree Major: Robotics and Embedded Systems
SIP URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mp8cZ6n-r8
Eros by Rico Garcia
Project Description: Eros is a men’s fashion assistant chatbot that operates on a mobile application.
Degree Major: Robotics and Embedded Systems
SIP URL: https://ricogarcia53.wixsite.com/website-2/about-1
The Lighthouse by Brandon Kling
Project Description: The Lighthouse focuses on bringing back the choose-your-own-adventure game archetype. I will create an original story revolving around cosmic horror.
Degree Major: Advancing Computer Science (ACS)
SIP URL: https://brandonkling.weebly.com/sip.html
Liberty Estimation Station by Hyrum Johnson
Project Description: Liberty Estimation Station with the help of LESter, the helpful AI, helps to better quote custom home building prices in Southeast Idaho. This was made using data Provided by Liberty Home, Idaho Falls.
Degree Major: Game Programming
SIP URL: https://hyrumjo253.wixsite.com/my-site
Blockchain Executors by Brandon Buchholz (Online)
Project Description: A private, verifiable, incorruptible and irreversible auto-executed will.
Degree Major: Advancing Computer Science
SIP URL: N/A
Alexander AI by Chris Tomaskovic, Hunter Devries-Ramirez and Anthony Shank
Project Description: This project aims to create an AI that can predict the future and issue of an asset buy and sell orders based off social and market cues. It will make stock market trading easier for both beginners and experts. You could also use it as an assistant or to do all the work for you. Anthony is creating an innovative mobile application that incorporates AI and Hunter is working in securing the AI and the other components from security vulnerabilities.
Degree Major: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Network Security, Advancing Computer Science
SIP URL: Chris—https://christomaskovic.netlify.app/sip.html
Hunter—https://hunterdevries23.wixsite.com/website
Anthony—https://anthonyshank977.wixsite.com/website/sip
Authen Gate by Chris Armour
Project Description: Authen Gate aims to create an added level of device security by utilizing geo-fence technology to restrict login access of a hardware authentication device through GPS boundaries.
Degree Major: Network Security
SIP URL: https://armourinnovation.com/sip.html
Gone Phishing by Daniel Bonness
Project Description: A program that scans emails and gives the user feedback as to how suspicious they are.
Degree Major: Network Security
SIP URL: https://daniel-bonness.zyrosite.com/sip-project
S.A.F.E. by Nicholas Jacob
Project Description: Educational program designed to give beginners an overview on the basics of select subjects. Introduces students to the fundamentals of recognizing and managing aspects of online safety and security not normally covered by traditional schooling. Informs students on how to take charge of the vulnerable areas of their digital security.
Degree Major: Network Security
SIP URL: https://ncjacob.wixsite.com/nicholas-jacob/sip
ASH (Automated System Hardening) by Colton Pritchard
Project Description: Automates system hardening for Windows devices; applies changes to your device to make it more secure using the Windows registry such as disabling unneeded services, configuring firewall settings, encrypt DNS requests with HTTPS, etc.
Degree Major: Network Security
SIP URL: https://xanperdian.weebly.com/
Phishing Email Analyzer by Sam Roethemeyer
Project Description: A phishing email analyzer to assist and automate processes used by security analysts.
Degree Major:
SIP URL: https://samroethemeyer.weebly.com/sip.html
QR Youth Resources by Avery Worker
Project Description: QR Youth Resources is a website dedicated to helping youths find information in the community such as referral services ranging from private to nonprofit organizations. This tool is operating 24 hours a day every year. QR Youth Resources help youth individuals and families find important resources that they may not even know about. This is a project dedicated to providing critical services that can improve and save lives.
Degree Major: Technology Forensics
SIP URL: https://averyfettworker.wixsite.com/averyworker/about
Control Your Emotions by Hanna Richards
Project Description: This system takes a player's real-time emotion to procedurally generate the narrative in a video game.
Degree Major: Game Design
SIP URL: https://hannarichardsportfolio.weebly.com/
Picture This! by Joshua Sutphin (Online)
Project Description: Picture This! is a programmed aimed at utilizing existing RGBA values to assign assets spawning locations, assets spawning types and ever asset statistics, with the addition of bit masking and manipulation to squeeze the most out of each value.
Degree Major: Game Programming
SIP URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch
Virtually Expanding the VR Play Space by Trenton Gilbert (Online)
Project Description: The goal is to eliminate the obstacle of needing a larger plays pace in order to do more with virtual reality.
Degree Major: Game Programming and Software Engineering
SIP URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch
After the showcase, the UAT community voted on six winners for various awards. This semester's winners are:
🏆 Best SIP Pitch: Eros by Rico Garcia
🏆 Most Market Viable: Liberty Estimation Station by Hyrum Johnson
🏆 Ingenuity Prize: Authen Gate by Chris Armour
🏆 World Changer: Blockchain Executors by Brandon Buchholtz & S.A.F.E. by Nicholas Jacob
🏆 Best in Show: The Lighthouse by Brandon Kling
🏆 Viewers Choice: Real-Time Molding by Victor Robles
Congratulations to the winners and to all students who can now claim their own exciting innovations in the wonderful world of technology! 👏🎉
As a student at UAT, there are a lot of super fun opportunities on campus that allow us students to have an amazing college experience. Already this year, UAT has hosted tons of great activities, such as movie nights, dodgeball, and most recently the Spring Festival! This quickly became my favorite event.
To set the scene, there were tables of our current campus clubs set up, yards games and the Gardening Club even hosted a pot painting activity. The Book Club had a pull-the-longest-bookmark game, similar to the pull-the-longest-straw game, if you've ever played it. Whoever pulled the longest bookmark won a prize, which is always exciting. The Drone Club flew their drones around, and what was really awesome about that is you could see what other events were taking place in the quad from the eyes of the drone.
One of the best parts was the dunk tank—you could dunk a member of UAT's staff! Each person was dunked at least twice and it was hilarious every time. Next to the dunk tank was face painting. I did a glitter freckle look with pink paint on my cheeks like blush. Check out UAT's Instagram account to see what other students got done.
My favorite part of the festival was the petting zoo. I spent the majority of my time there because there was an alpaca. There were so many cute and cool animals who were all so well-behaved. There were chickens, bunnies, a pig, a tortoise, goats and even ducks. I took a ton of pictures with the animals and had such a fun time.
We can't forget about the food! There was a food truck that served classic fair foods—churros, pretzels and so much more. It was nice to have the food truck there, and even better, if you signed up for the event you were given three food tickets. Who doesn't love free food? If you missed out this time, definitely make sure to check it out next time there is a student festival on campus!
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Digital privacy is one of the hottest topics in business and technology right now. On April 13, 2023, UAT and the Phoenix Business Journal teamed up to host a panel of experts that shared their knowledge of why digital privacy is important to consumers and businesses of all side.
The multi-perspective panel, hosted by UAT Provost, Dr. David Bolman included:
Professor Dapzury Valenzuela, Art Director at University of Advancing Technology and small business/entrepreneur consultant
Todd Kartchner, Attorney and Director at Fennemore Law
Victor Vinogradov, Chief Information Security Officer, Western Alliance Bank
PJ Wolff, Vice President Commercial Insurance & Surety, Brown & Brown
The panelists discussed the constantly and rapidly changing privacy landscape (driven primarily by technological advancement and modern commercial conveniences) and what consumers and business owners need to focus the most on.
While the laws are robust, can be difficult understand and are ever-evolving, the panel heavily reinforced that businesses of all size have a responsibility to protect the personal data that their customers give them. Discussing the topics of liability, cyber insurance, data protection, advertising and the wild range of state, federal and international laws they must abide by - panelists painted a daunting picture of the environment, but also offered tips and starting points for businesses of all sizes and consumers.
On the consumer front, the panelists emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between cybersecurity and digital privacy. Using complex secure passwords on your accounts has nothing to do with agreeing to the Terms & Conditions when signing up for that account. Many people don’t understand or don’t bother reading what they are allowing companies to do with the personal information they give them.
The full article publishes online and locally in the Phoenix Business Journal print edition next month. To get the full scoop and the rundown of what you need to know to protect yourself and your business, check back here and on UAT’s socials in May!
Moving away from home and into a new place can be overwhelming, but we're here to help relieve some of your stress so you can focus on the excitement. As seasoned veterans of college moves, we've put together a comprehensive list of items to bring with you when moving into Founder's Hall at the University of Advancing Technology (UAT). While everyone's needs and preferences may differ, this list will give you a solid foundation to work from. Don't hesitate to also consult with friends and family for additional suggestions, and feel free to share this list with others who may find it helpful.
1. Bedding
The top priority on your packing list should be bedding. Make sure to bring along sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillowcases to make your new room feel like home. While bedding is essential, it's also a chance to showcase your unique style, so choose something that reflects your personality and is comfortable as well. College life can be hectic, and a good night's sleep is crucial, so don't underestimate the importance of rest.
2. Towels
The second item on the checklist is towels. It's advisable to pack a minimum of two sets of towels to avoid frequent laundry runs. We recommended packing bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.
3. Toiletries
Next up are toiletries. These are the items that we often take for granted as they are typically provided by our parents at home. Don't forget to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, and other necessary personal hygiene items. You'd be surprised at how many people forget to bring these and end up making a last-minute run to the store.
4. Clothing hangers
Include hangers on your list and anticipate purchasing additional ones since it tends to happen inexplicably. 🤣
5. Desk lamp
We know that you are all diligent students who will spend many late nights studying, so it's essential to have a desk lamp for those times.
6. Laundry basket or hamper
Now that you'll be the only one handling your laundry, make it easy on yourself. Bring a laundry basket or hamper so you can keep all your dirty clothes in one place. That way you'll know when it's time to head to the laundry room. Having a hamper also makes it easy to carry your clothes back and forth from your room to the laundry room. You don't want to lose any socks in the hallway trying to carry it all in your arms!
7. Mini fridge
Although we do have a community kitchen in Founder's Hall with a refrigerator, if you want quick access to snacks and drinks, you'll want to add a mini fridge to your list.
8. Desk supplies
We know nowadays most things are done using a laptop but it is still important to have a few pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes and other office supplies on hand.
9. Power strips
Power strips are a necessity for college students as you'll be using a considerable amount of technology from your laptop and phone chargers to your lights and gaming consoles. You'll need all the plugs you can get, and it's better to come prepared in this area than to constantly swap out plugs.
10. Basic kitchen supplies
As previously mentioned, Founder's Hall provides a fully-equipped kitchen for all students to use. If you're someone who enjoys cooking, don't forget to pack some supplies such as a place setting or two, and pots and pans. Cooking for others is a great way to make friends, so show off your culinary skills and invite your peers to join you for a tasty meal.
11. Cleaning supplies
Now that we're living independently, it's up to us to clean up after ourselves. Make sure to pack some cleaning supplies including all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, and a small vacuum cleaner or broom and dustpan to help keep your space tidy.
12. TV
If you want to have a more immersive viewing experience than just your laptop, consider bringing a TV for your dorm room. This will allow you to enjoy movie nights with your roommate and have a more enjoyable entertainment experience.
Rest assured, we haven't overlooked the importance of having some fun items on your packing list. While it's crucial to prioritize the essentials, we also suggest bringing along some items that speak to your personality. These will help make your room feel like your own and enhance your overall experience. Adding personal touches to your decor is also an excellent way to introduce yourself to new people.
1. Gaming consoles
Would we really be UAT if this wasn't first on our list? Gaming is huge on campus whether you're interested in joining the eSports team or just gaming for fun, it's a great way to connect with others. We understand that not everyone has a gaming console they can bring with them to college, but fear not! Founder's Hall has a fully-equipped gaming room with a wide range of options and games available. So, if gaming is your thing, you'll have plenty of opportunities to play.
2. Musical instruments
Bonding with others through music is a wonderful experience. If you have a passion for playing instruments or want to learn, remember to bring them along. Nonetheless, it's important to keep in mind that noise levels should be respectful in the dorm when practicing.
3. Board games and card games
Who doesn't love a game night? Make sure to pack your favorite board games and card games for when you need a little break from technology.
4. Sports equipment
Our campus features a spacious quad that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and sports enthusiasts. If you're interested in playing ball games, don't forget to bring your gear. With Arizona's near-perfect weather conditions, spending time outdoors is essential for maintaining good mental health.
5. Streaming device
Make sure to add a streaming device, such as Roku, Chromecast, or Firestick, to your list of things to pack. After all, you have your TV ready to go, but you'll need a way to stream all your favorite shows and movies.
6. Camera
We understand that most of us rely on our smartphones for taking photos, but consider bringing a digital or film camera to capture your college memories in a unique way. You'll have the opportunity to create tangible keepsakes that you can display in your dorm or even compile into a photo album. Trust us, your future self will appreciate it!
7. Decorations
This is where you can really let your creativity shine! Adding personal touches to your dorm is a fun way to make it feel more like home. You can bring in string lights, tapestries, posters, pictures, and even fun rugs. Don't forget to add some greenery with a plant or fresh flowers to brighten up the space.
8. Speakers
Remember to bring a speaker along with you so that you can enjoy your favorite tunes or even listen to classical music while studying - it's highly recommended!
9. Books
We understand that reading for pleasure may feel like an additional task while in college, but we highly recommend packing a few books for leisure reading. When you need a break from studying or screen time, a good book can be a great escape. Who knows, you might even start a book club on campus! 📖
10. Art supplies
Bring your art supplies with you to campus and let your creativity flourish! If you're feeling inspired, you can even participate in our paint nights. Sometimes we even dress up as Bob Ross to really get into the artistic spirit. Expressing yourself through art is not only fun, but it also ties into many of the courses we offer here at UAT. Bonus points for bringing your own supplies!
Did you know these next two items are the most forgotten items by students when moving to college? We don't want you to forget anything, so we're sharing a couple items that might have slipped your list.
1. Surge protectors
2. Mattress topper
Don't wait until you arrive at your new room to realize you're missing these items. Add them to your list now and avoid the hassle later!
1. Command strips
2. Sewing kit
3. Bedside organizer
We understand it is impossible to predict everything every student will need while moving in, but we hope this list is a helpful start for you!
God of War's (GoW) new games are absolutely stunning! Personally, I have not had the chance to play the original games, but there is a lot of lore that I have read about and it sounds pretty amazing!
With the new games, not only do we have a more story driven games but the graphics are beautiful as well. The last game was visually appealing but the improvements with the new game are very noticeable. They had kept the same animations for a lot of movements but added in the newer models, which balances it out.
I just finished God of War: Ragnarok, and even though it took me a while to complete—just over a month—I had moments of happiness, bawling my eyes out (more than once), fear, anger, all of the emotions you could possibly feel! I have grown so attached to all of the main characters and feel a little lost now that I have "finished" the game. Thankfully they have the after credits exploration where you can go and see the aftermath of Ragnarok, which, in my opinion, is unique for a game. Usually you have to save a file before the last big fight and go back to a world before the disaster in order to explore, and with GoW it opened up even more opportunities, side quests, and lots of amazing and fun things to do.
My favorite place to go is Jotunheim, and I wish we had more to explore there as Kratos. I want to go see all of the different places that could be offered. Not only is it mysterious as it's one of the realms we haven't seem a lot of in either games, but the colors, nature, animals and everything about this realm is so whimsical. It's truly like you are stepping into a different world. We also get the awesome character Angrboda.
If you have yet to play this game, I highly recommend it. there will be moments where you are feeling emotions you never knew you could feel towards a game, the artwork is stunning and the world building is beyond what you could even imagine.
The third episode of HBO's The Last of Us premiered on Sunday, January 29, 2023, and it was so sad! I was bawling my eyes out by the end of it. So, lets talk about it—spoilers included!
Trigger Warnings: Death, Suicide.
Before getting into this week's episode, I'd like to share that, unfortunately, the voice actress in the game for Tess passed away after a two year battle with cancer. Not only did she voice so many iconic characters in the gaming Industry, she was a beautiful person full of love and kindness. This is very unfortunate news amongst us in the gaming community and for anyone who was close with her.
The third episode was very different from the game, yet this story line for Bill and Frank is even more outstanding and heart wrenching. For anyone who has played the game, you know we only saw frank when he was already dead. We never met him or were able to understand the kind of person he was other than from what Bill said, which was never kind. They transformed Frank's sad ending into a very loving, happy and well-deserved ending for both characters. They created such a beautiful relationship between Bill and Frank.
Instead of Frank being bit and him ending his own life, and Bill growing old and grumpy without him, we get the chance to see into their relationship. We get to see their love and how beautiful they were in a world full of hate. Bill protected Frank with everything he had, while Frank did the same until the very end. Seeing the parallels between the beginning and the end was outstanding. The first dinner they had together, Bill prepared a Rabbit with a glass of wine. This was also be their last meal together. On their last day, they got married. I cried so hard, and I am even tearing up typing this.
Listening to he HBO Podcast, I learned about their interactive start idea where each episode would have a start menu for the game.There would be a window and you'd have to press start in order to watch the episode and then also end with a window. I'll admit, I was disappointed to learn they were thinking about doing this but didn't. I think it's a brilliant idea, and they could have tied in this idea with the end of this week's episode where we look through the open window from Bill and Frank's bedroom.
We were reunited with Tess this week, but only through a flashback, of course. We see a flashback to when Frank invited Tess and Joel to their town for lunch. This answered the question of how Joel knew Bill from the game and the significance they had to one another. Seeing Tess again was nice, and the relationship she grew with Frank was fun and adorable. We also were able to see how the music codes originated. Unfortunately, this is when we piece together that the music they heard over the radio was signaling Bill and Frank's deaths a few weeks before Joel, Tess and Ellie set out on their mission. Bill's radio was designed to go off if it wasn't touched for a few weeks. The 80s music heard at the end of episode one was because of this.
This episode was both amazing and terribly sad. I felt like my heart was ripped out and thrown on the ground after watch it. This was beautiful twist on the original story, and I do believe it was for the better. As always, I am recommending everyone to watch The Last of Us and play the game. I encourage you to form your own opinions, but so far, I think this is the best show adaptation of a video game. I truly think that everyone can enjoy this show. If you don't at least give it a show you'll miss out on stories like in this week's episode!
On Sunday, January 22nd, HBO released the second episode of The Last of Us, and it was absolutely amazing! Let's dive right into this week's episode breakdown. Warning—there are spoilers, so read at your own risk.
This episode confirmed the theories about the cordyceps traveling through wheat and grain from a facility or factory. Everything I ever wanted from the video game was delivered in the beginning of this very episode; my questions about the beginning of the breakout were answered within the first 15 minutes. How has this affected other countries? Where did this come from? How did it travel so fast? Also, I'd like to add how perfect the actress who plays the doctor is for the role! As we saw, there was very quick resolution to bomb the city where the breakout started. We saw an infected cadaver and how even after the host is dead the cordyceps lives, looking to infect the next living thing.
I've mentioned my concerns about the casting in previous posts, and although I wasn't sure about it before, I am now. The casting is perfect, in my opinion. What really solidified it were the snarky comments made by Ellie. It made me crack up when she said "sandwich weapons." It was like I was playing the game for the first time again. Joel's hostility and paranoia shows that he is human and can still be hurt without being impaled. The broken hand they added in was a nice touch. Tess had a very emotional demise and we witnessed the disgusting scene where the cordyceps tried to transfer hosts. Only one ran after her, and maybe that means Ellie won't be attacked, but Joel will? I see this as a potential dilemma down the line in the story.
I loved the way that they changed the timeline to fit in the hotel before Tess dies, and the small little interactions we have with Ellie pretending to be a customer—just like it was in the game. This does lead me to believe that they will be replacing the hotel scene later down the line with something else. The scene in the museum gave us our first up-close look at the Clickers and it had me freaking out! The directors portrayed both of these scenes from the game so well.
The way that Tess went out at the end of the episode was so brave and also very scary. Seeing the fear in her eyes when the infected started to approach her was so surreal and had me scared for her. Every time I play the game, I still cry to this day, but this episode completely changed the way she went out. Instead of having a sad feeling for her, I was more fearful than anything else. And, yes, I did bawl my eyes out.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you haven't watch the show yet, I really recommend it. Whether you're a fan of the game or now, this show and the cast are exceeding all expectations. A new episode premiere every Sunday on HBO.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) prides itself on its ability to adapt to modern technology. In order to do this, the University (UAT) has had some integral changes throughout the years. We wanted to create a blog series that highlights our major milestones and finish up our decade recap covering the most recent years: 2013-2022.
2013 was a milestone year for University of Advancing Technology for many reasons. It was the university’s 30th anniversary, and the year UAT launched its first bachelor’s degree in Digital Maker and Fabrication. Students in this major practice taking design concepts and then modeling, designing, and building these objects using 3D design software. This was also the year UAT incorporated UAT Game Studios, which became the largest game production studio in Arizona. You can keep up with them on social media @UATGameStudios, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This incorporation of the Game Studios was imperative during this time, as two of the most popular pieces of innovative technology that year were the Sony Playstation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One.
Professor Lynn Understiller with over 30 years of industry experience helped to launch UAT Game Studios explains "UAT Game Studios was a necessary addition to the game degree to fully prepare students for industry jobs, evidenced by the thousands of alumni who hold industry jobs today and projects such as COD, Halo, Avatar, and more. With the assistance of qualified partners over the years, UAT Game Studios has led students through the job process beginning each semester with the Game Job Fair where students are recruited onto Greenlighted team projects and take on owning and managing their teams on their own while working with professional outside stakeholders. UAT Studios has become one of the University's greatest assets and has been adopted by all degrees of study."
In 2015, UAT had its hand in the viral video trend in classic UAT fashion, with a Bohemian Rhapsody remix based on Star Wars. Watch the video on YouTube: it includes original, Star Wars-themed lyrics for all six and a half minutes of the song. The video surpassed 1 million views and today has nearly 5 million views. Two UAT alumni, Stephen Panagiotis, Jamall Richards, and Professor Paul DeNigris wrote the lyrics for the video. This was the same year Silento’s record-breaking single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” was one of the most viral videos on YouTube if that gives you any sense of the competition UAT Digital Video was up against.
UAT developed version 2.0 of its Synchronic Learning Model in 2017, just five years after its inception. Now referred to as SyncFlex, the model allows students to shift between being an on-campus student or an online student. It is designed to be extraordinarily modern in not requiring students to label themselves as a wholly on-campus or online student.
The 35th anniversary of UAT was celebrated in 2018 which was also the year the Artificial Intelligence degree was launched. The Artificial Intelligence degree covers the fundamentals of general and applied AI, including core programming languages and platforms used in computer science. This was at the peak of a controversial yet popular AI technology called Face Recognition which is now commonly used to unlock cellphones by scanning one’s facial features. The same year, Hong Kong’s Hanson Robotics humanoid robot, Sophia, made the mainstream news. Sophia is powered by Google and is still one of the most extraordinary displays of artificial intelligence.
UAT celebrated another accomplishment in 2018 when its all-freshman VEX Robotics team made nationals at the VEX Robotics World Championship (Worlds). This competition is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest robotics competition in the world. This was the first year UAT entered the collegiate-level competition (VEX U), which made their trip to nationals all the more impressive. In the end, the team placed 23rd out of 43 teams. The competition is extremely difficult and involves two teams facing off at a time. Each team controls its robot for a little under two minutes. The robot earns the team points depending on how well it stacks cones, toggles flags, and parks. You can read more about UAT's Robotics Team and their trip to Worlds here.
While 2020 was an impactful year for the entire world, UAT was able to really lean on the Synchronic Learning model in the middle of a term and pivot swiftly to allow all students to safely continue classes in quarantine and not miss any class time.
Professor Craig Belanger remembers, "When COVID hit we went on spring break there was no indication that eight days later we wouldn't be remaining on campus. There were some announcements made and we all just sort of flipped a switch and alerted our students that were going to be staying home, and it was very easy for us to do because we'd already been practicing on this for a long time."
The UAT Security Operations Center (SOC) was debuted in August of 2021, and after 10 years the UAT Cyber Warfare Range was retired. Having the SOC on campus allows the student to gain hands-on experience and training similar to what they would work on after graduation.
In 2022, UAT continues to make effervescent strides in the world of advancing technology. For the past 38 years, U.S. News has been collecting data on universities to make it easier for people to choose their future schools. For 2022-2023, University of Advancing Technology was ranked #32 out of 102 Best Regional Colleges West universities. This is an accolade that represents UAT's stellar academic preparation and performance. UAT also ranked #7 out of 46 universities for Social Mobility. This means that UAT is dedicated to delivering education to a broad spectrum of economic classes.
U.S. News conducts its ratings by using academic data from surveys and reliable third parties. Nonacademic aspects of the universities are not charted. Non-scientific polls are also excluded from their calculations. They calculate the nation’s universities into ten categories, then measure based on seventeen different aspects of academic quality and take the weighted sum to devise the rankings. UAT is proud to receive these rankings and plans on rising through them in the future. They accurately represent the hard work, and dedication UAT staff and students apply to their daily academic lives.
UAT plans to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to advancing technologies, and we are so excited about continuing to achieve and reach milestones every year. President Jason Pistillo envisions, "Our goal in the next decade is to prove to the world UAT is one of the very best technology universities around. Student teams will regularly be recognized for their ability to compete and win in every available technology competition, build festival, hackathon and challenge. Our students will be contributing at the highest levels in entrepreneurship and industry. The recognized work students produce, be it a life saving VR med-technology program, or a new world-changing technology startup, contributes to the UAT ecosystem ensuring alumni are recognized as world class and making UAT’s education more accessible for the next generation."
To read more about the history of UAT, check out more information here. To keep up and stay in the know with UAT Blogs, you can go to https://www.uattech.com/.
Ready to take the next step and become part of the UAT family? Request information or apply today and a friendly Academic Advisor will reach out to help you with your enrollment process.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) alumni Erik Link graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Game Design. He has since moved to Los Angeles and made his mark in the gaming and movie industry. Erik currently works as a motion capture technician at Activision Blizzard and most recently worked on Avatar: Way of Water. We were able to catch up with him to get the inside scoop on what he worked on and how his education at the University (UAT) helped him get to where he is today.
What do you find most valuable about your education?
The ability to learn skills and have access to the software and equipment that is needed within my industry.
How well did UAT prepare you for your career?
UAT helped a lot due to having access to the mocap (motion capture) room. I was able to learn and create many projects via motion capture.
What projects are you most proud of?
Avatar: Way of Water, Call of Duty : Black OPS 3, Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2, Godzilla vs Kong, Operation Monarch for Warzone and Diablo 4.
How did you get the job working on Avatar The Way of Water?
After working in LA for about three years I had prior co-workers that got hired on in 2017, they referred me and I got hired for the project in 2018.
What in the movie did you work on?
I worked on the majority of the facial capture animation for any of the Navi characters faces and edited motion capture animation for various characters.
What is the most exciting part about working on this project? What was the most challenging?
Obviously working with James Cameron, the cast and production for this film was the most exciting part. As for challenging, I would say just working with new emerging technology. I'll be honest there is no mocap studio that does under water motion capture which made it very challenging to get the data working.
Erik with Stephen Lang who plays Colonel Quaritch in Avatar: The Way of Water
How did your education get you started on your path to working on Avatar The Way of Water?
Besides UAT providing the fundamentals of game design and art, UAT also provided a class in motion capture. That class not only taught me the fundamentals of mocap but once I finished it I was able to gain an internship with the THQ PHX mocap team which gave me real world experience in the mocap industry. After the internship was over, I kept doing my schoolwork until I saw the first Avatar film which propelled advanced technology within the mocap industry to where it inspired me to pursue a career in that field. Since then, I kept my focus on mocap and learning anything related which led me to work on indie projects, then game publishing and finally I got the chance to work on the sequel of the same movie that inspired me in first place.
What is next in your career move?
At the moment besides perfecting mocap tech for the studio, I have been involved with more virtual production work where I am aiming to keep up with new VFX trends with motion capture, animation and real time sets.
This past Sunday, January 15th, The Last of Us premiered on HBO—and it was perfect! Before continuing on, I want to give a heads up that this review does have spoilers. If you aren't a fan of spoilers, save this until after you watch it... and go watch it NOW!
My previous post was written based on the small amount of details that has been released about the show before it premiered. This post will discuss the first episode and which parts were identical to the game, which parts differed and my thoughts about all of it.
My initial concern was about the casting and how Joel and Ellie were going to be portrayed. Diving right in, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are the embodiment of my two favorite characters. They did such an amazing job, living up to expectations, yet still making the characters unique and not exact replicas from the game. It's been mentioned that the directors asked them to not play the game before their roles so they could make each character their own, and I have to say they did an amazing job for having never played the game.
There are a few conspiracies floating around on TIkTok about how the infection started with wheat. The game has hinted towards it, alluding to it being because of bad crops, and the show—so far—has solidified that for us. The entire beginning of the first episode dives into the every day life of Sarah and how scary the entire thing is for someone has no idea what's going on. Also, a round of applause for the CGI! The plane crash was terrifying and gave me goosebumps. Somehow the show made Sarah's death even more sad. Nico Parker played Sarah beautifully, and I would like to see her in more things.
The entire truck drive was shot scene for scene when they were trying to flee the city, identical to the game. Watching this come to life as a show, after ten years of seeing it remastered and changed in the game, still had me tearing up. This game is very nostalgic to me because for a while this was the only game I owed when I was thirteen. The Last of Us is the game that got me into gaming, leading me to really delve into the world of video games.
I am so happy to see how the show is opening up the opportunity for others to be able to explore and experience the world of The Last of Us. The audience for this franchise is really growing. In my opinion, this story deserves all of the love it's getting, and I am proud to see what it's grown into. I cant wait for the next episode!
Every Sunday on HBO, a new episode will premiere. If you haven't already, go watch the first episode! I promise, you won't regret it. I may or may not have but definitely have rewatched it a few times already, and each time I watch it I pick up more connections to the game (Curtis vs Viper 2, anyone?) and am curating my own theories about which direction the show will go.
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), Student Innovation Projects (SIP) are a big deal! They are also really cool, so don't be scared. Whether you've toured the campus or you're a current student, you've definitely heard SIP mentioned. So, what is it? You'll find answers to frequently asked SIP questions below. If you have more questions, our Student Ambassadors and Student Advisors are always here to help.
Officially during your sophomore year, but students begin thinking about ideas for their SIP from the moment they begin at UAT. As soon as students are engaged in projects and competitions they should begin thinking about ideas for their SIP project. That way when, during their sophomore to early junior year, students have a short list of emerging technology topics that they want to further investigate as a part of developing their innovation.
Students must successfully complete their working innovation and present it to the UAT community before graduation. Ideally students complete their SIP as they wrap up their junior year (around 90 credits earned) so there is time to use the resources UAT offers to further refine their innovation into something market viable.
Students who've successfully completed all requirements of SIP are invited to demonstrate their MVP (minimum viable product) at our end-of-the-semester SIP Showcase. We invite students, faculty, staff, family, and the local community to join us in celebrating their achievement on campus and virtually. Students with market-ready SIP inventions are encouraged to pursue and continue to develop their inventions in their final semesters. You can even be invited to present to a private panel of investors, business owners, and tech professionals for support, resources, and capital!
Each student has within their respective major a group of SMEs (Subject Matter Experts). The SMEs, along with the lead SIP instructor, help guide each SIP project towards completion through scheduled presentations, meetups, email, video conferencing, and messaging apps. Additionally, students have access to events and industry professionals who can provide ideas and feedback on their innovations and Program Support Specialists who provide tutorial and one-on-one support as needed.
As a starting point, students can use a project that originated while studying in high school. If approved by a UAT SME, students can take their high school (or work experience) idea and build it out to something that is market ready, innovative and potentially very interesting and useful. Pre-existing projects cannot be under NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) nor owned by any other organization.
SIPs must be safe, legal and not violate the ethical standards expected of all members of the UAT community.
Part of selecting your SIP topic is determining its viable scope against realistic resources of time and materials. All students are required to conduct extensive research on "prior art", which is any existing products or services in the marketplace, to avoid infringement. SIPs are working alphas that demonstrate MVP aspects – the technology is not expected to be polished and ready to be sold or deployed at the time of project completion.
Also, UAT won’t fund a laser cannon particle accelerator to complete your SIP. Students generally use what is available in labs and what they individually bring to the project in order to ready their innovation.
UAT provides substantial technology resources to its students for educational and creative uses. While students own the intellectual rights to their inventions, they grant the University a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, copy, display, describe, mark-on, modify, retain or make other use of the student’s work. For full details of UAT’s intellectual property policies, please refer to the University Catalog.
One of the most iconic games is getting its very own show on HBO Max—releasing Jan 15th, 2023—and I am super excited for it! Here's what I know about the show, and my thoughts on the trailer and what's been released to the fans so far.
The Last of Us has been my favorite game since its release almost 10 years ago. The story is top tier, and the character development is stunning, only getting better in the second game. As far as the show goes, we know that the show will be featuring the DLC "Left Behind" where we get to meet Riley (Ellie's Best Friend) and the moments that lead up to Ellies realization of them being Immune. Riley will be played by Storm Reid, and Ellie will be played by Bella Ramsey. The trailers, so far, have shown that these actors seem to play their roles perfectly together. The chemistry between them explodes out of the screen throughout the trailers. And, yes, we will be getting a photo booth scene!
We're seeing in the released scenes the beginning portion of the game where we meet Joel (Pedro Pascal) and where we play as Sarah (Nico Parker), Joel's daughter. We can assume this means we will see the most heart wrenching part of the game—Sarah's death. Still, to this day, any time I play the game, I cry during this part. I think it will always hurt in the saddest and darkest way. This really sets the darkness tone of the game. I am hoping they do this scene justice and it's shown on the show the same as it's portrayed in the game. I am hoping it takes us on the same emotional rollercoaster and resentment towards the world for taking such a precious life.
Something I'm very excited about is that Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker will be making cameos in the show as different characters! If you don't know who they are, Ashley Johnson is the voice actor for Ellie, and Troy Baker is the voice actor for Joel. Apparently, Ashley Johnson will be playing Ellie's mother. If this is true, it means we will get extra context in the show that wasn't in the game. We do not experience Ellie's mother in the game, so this will be an interesting aspect of the show. This might also mean we'll learn about Ellie's mother dies and have a few more answers to our questions around Ellie's family and how she got to where she was in boarding school.
It has been confirmed that there will be things added to the show that were supposed to be in the game but didn't make it. Who doesn't love a thickened plot?! At this point, I'm not certain what will be added, but I'm excited for it and, personally, hope it has something to do with Marlene, the Fireflies or Bill.
Before watching the show, I want to share my true thoughts about the show before it airs. I understand it can't be a second-by-second play through of the game, and I understand that means things will either be added or removed from the game—to be determined if that enhances the show or ruins it. Overall, I don't have much faith in the show. I feel this way because usually adaptations for video games end up being a let down. I don't want them to ruin my favorite franchise. I am excited to see all the characters and have the ability to watch them over and over again. However, I haven't seen much emotion in the trailers from anyone except Joel. One of the first trailers released showed a scene from one of the best scenes in the game and it had zero emotion. I'm left wondering if this is what the entire show will be like or if there is a reason behind their heartlessness. I guess we'll find out soon!
I want raw, unfiltered emotions from the show because I'm looking for the the same sense of comfortability I get from the game. It's scary walking in on something like this, so I'm going to try not to judge it too harshly until I watch the show. I know at this time my opinions are limited, but I am excited to share my thoughts after it's released. There are a few rumors I've heard about the show that I hope are not true... specifically that they are taking away spores... which is the entire premise of the story. I am looking forward to seeing Bella, Ramsey and Pedro Pascal be totally chaotic on the screen together. Don't forget, the show will premiere January 15, 2023 on HBO Max!
