Our Story
Our Story
Media, Arts, Games, Interaction, and Creativity (MAGIC)
At MAGIC, we learn by making things.
This guiding principle informs our work and our relationships, and is at the heart of what we do.
Since our founding in 2013, we passionately pursue our missions of learning, research, entrepreneurism, commercial outreach, and project showcase.
Students embrace our motto “we learn by making things,” by contributing to projects above and beyond their classroom requirements. Whether for research and independent exploration or in hopes of starting up their own studios and businesses, project teams produce and publish films, games, interactive experiences and more for public distribution through MAGIC.
Welcome to the Studio
MAGIC Spell Studios partners with and supports the RIT and Rochester communities in who want to bring their content to life.
We also host commercial activity in film production, digital design, and game development, welcoming companies to interact with RIT’s best creative minds at our 52,000 square foot studio.
What Drives Us
Learn about the principles that guide our work, relationships, and everyday operations.
Learning
Students learn in state-of-the-art classrooms with industry-standard hardware and software, focusing on game design, 2D and 3D animation, and digital design. Our sound stage and post-production studios enhance hands-on education, bringing industry workflows into the classroom. Faculty from film, animation, games, media, and design develop and teach a wide range of courses in MAGIC.
Research
Faculty and students partner to work on sponsored research and independent study projects focused in films, games, AR/VR, and interactive experiences. While most of these projects are born from faculty portfolios and sponsorship, MAGIC also hosts and mentors student teams pursuing their own extracurricular interests.
Entrepreneurism
MAGIC provides a home for start-up incubation and the commercialization of digital media products. Students bring their ideas and are supported with both business start-up mentorship and access to a full suite of technical tools. One of the most popular programs on campus is the MAGIC Maker Program, a competitive process where students pitch digital media product ideas and earn both co-op credit and start-up funding for publication and commercialization.
Commercial Outreach
MAGIC Spell Studios is uniquely positioned to spur economic growth throughout the Rochester region and New York state. Beyond training the next wave of digital media experts, our students are available to work as co-ops/interns and full-time employees in local businesses. MAGIC provides unique facilities that are open for business in film, games, and interactive media design. This activity spans the physical studio and post-production spaces to co-work suites available to host companies for long-term engagements.
Project Showcase
MAGIC was intentionally designed to showcase the creative output of our students and faculty and provide a performance platform for our campus and the Rochester community. Everywhere throughout MAGIC, you can find evidence of the cool projects made and published through MAGIC Spell Studios. Come and visit to see and play some of the best film and games projects made with us!
Growing the Games Industry
There is no better time than now and no better place than New York State to be making video games.
MAGIC Spell Studios plays a key leadership role in growing the industry here in Rochester and across the state. When you think of video games in Rochester, please think of us as your first point of contact.
Why is Rochester a hub for game development?
We have the talent.
The future of the industry is here with talent from universities such as RIT, whose Game Design and Development program is ranked annually in the top 5 by the Princeton Review as well as the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music.
The history of games is here.
The Strong National Museum of Play is home to the World Video Game Hall of Fame. In 2023, The Strong opened a 90,000-square-foot-expansion which includes three major exhibits dedicated to electronic games.
We have the community.
In Rochester we love to make and play games together! See below to learn more about the many local organizations that contribute to Rochester’s strong games community.
Roc Game Dev
With support from partner organization ROC Game Dev, an organization of video game developers, artists, and enthusiasts dedicated to fostering a community of game creators, we host several events and partner with community organizations and local studios to raise the profile of game development in the Greater Rochester, including the Finger Lakes and Western New York.
Partner Organizations
- Great Lakes Gaming - A brand new high-end video gaming lounge on the 22nd floor of Innovation Square, founded by RIT alumni.
- A Gamer’s Nostalgia - AGN is a great place to meet new gamers, make new friends and get involved with Rochester's robust video gaming community. They host tournaments, birthday parties, overnight lock-ins, fund raisers and more!
- Swillburger - A trendy hangout set in an old church building that offers burgers, cocktails & vintage arcade games.
- Nerdvana Rochester - A gaming-themed restaurant & bar that features unique food & drink, fresh coffee, & much more!
Digital Games Hub Designation
RIT is one of three Empire State Development-designated Centers of Excellence in Digital Game Development, along with NYU and RPI.
Community Incubator Program
We establish solid foundations for long-term growth through outreach and community building activities that increase the economic impact of games to New York state.
MAGIC provides resources and mentoring to encourage indie developers to enter the growing games industry, through our Community Incubator Program that fosters new games and start-up companies. We also regularly sponsor student teams to attend GDC and PAX East, some of the nation’s largest video game developer conferences.
Rochester Game Festival
One of our largest events, the Rochester Game Festival invites the Rochester community to play and learn about video games produced by RIT as well as local developers.
Our 6th annual event will take place again on Saturday, September 28th at RIT MAGIC Spell Studios. Stay tuned for updates!
Community Outreach
Are you a K-12 school or community organization who is interested in learning more about game development?
We’d be happy to speak to your class about making video games or lead an “Intro to Game Development” workshop!
Game Design Summer Camp
The Future of the Games Industry
The pipeline for future talent in the industry begins in our K-12 schools. To help grow this pipeline and in partnership with RIT’s K-12 University Center, MAGIC Spell Studios hosts an annual game design summer program for high school students from Vertus, Rochester Prep and UPrep.
Real World Experience, Firsthand
In this this 3 week camp, students will learn about making and designing games on campus by staff and students who design games and will have the opportunity to publish their game on itch.io, all while having fun and learning more about the video game industry.
Want to learn more?
Get in touch with the MAGIC Team!