(WACO) – Video games go beyond being the hero who uses supernatural powers to save the world — or at least an ant colony.
The guts of video games are the logic, programming and mathematics that make characters, landscapes and animals come to life. Dalton Burts of Athens used all these to pay homage to ants for “Antopia,” his final video game project for graduation from Texas State Technical College in Waco.
“You play an ant and your colony is preparing for a flood,” said Burts, 26. “You have to get food and avoid evil anteaters.”
Burts will receive an associate degree in Graphics Gaming and Simulation Programming Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Spring Commencement on Monday, May 1, in Waco. Since Burts enrolled in 2015 at TSTC, the associate degree has now been made an advanced technical certificate, with majors having the option to earn a companion associate degree in Computer Programming Technology.
“I have done tons of hands-on work,” said Burts. “TSTC pushes you to do the best you can. All my discipline I learned was through band and music.”
Susie Watkins, an associate professor in the Computer Science program at TSTC, admires Burts’ work ethic and skills.
“Dalton is always in here working,” Watkins said. “He figures out a lot of stuff on his own. He works well in a team environment.”
Burts learned about TSTC from his father, who studied aircraft pilot training technology.
“I decided to further my education and come here because my father didn’t have a problem getting a job,” he said.
Burts was born in Galveston and moved to Athens in Henderson County when he was 5. Some of his earliest video-game-playing experience was Super Mario Brothers when he was 12.
“I liked how the games didn’t specifically tell you what to do, but I had to figure it out and use my brain,” he said.
As Burts played video games, his appreciation for music grew.
Since he was 12, he has learned to play clarinet, alto saxophone and tenor saxophone and has dabbled with guitar and piano. While growing up he played in jazz and Dixieland bands, along with marching and symphonic bands.
Burts graduated in 2009 from Athens High School and received an associate degree in Musical Performance in 2013 from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens. He said it was challenging finding a music job in the Athens area that did not involve tutoring or teaching.
“I’ve always had a love for gaming and wanted to compose for gaming,” he said. “I have always embraced imagination and never saw a need to let that go.”
Burts wants to work in the Austin area.
Candidates for graduation from TSTC’s Fort Bend County, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses will gather for Spring Commencement at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at the Waco Convention Center at 100 Washington Ave. in Waco.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
