Warren Spector is known for his work on games including System Shock, Deus Ex and Epic Mickey. Now he'll help educate the next generation of video game leaders. The University of Texas at Austin this week said it has appointed Spector as director of its new Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, where he will design game development education programs. Spector has worked with UT Austin as an advisor for the last year, but said he felt it was time to take on a larger role. "There's a real commitment here to create something unique and excellent, delivering something the games industry needs and wants — more and better prepared creative and business leaders," he said in a statement. "I'm not making a game right now, but I feel like I'm doing something even more important." The new academy launches in fall next year, and will be led and taught by game industry executives, focusing on "the arts of creative and business leadership." Spector will first form a council to help create a curriculum and bring on additional partners from the game industry. Notable figures on board include Origin founder Richard Garriott de Cayeux, EA chief creative Richard Hilleman, Harmonix chief creative Greg LoPiccolo and BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk. Spector's previous venture, Austin's Junction Point, met an unfortunate end early this year, following the release of Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two. More information on the new academy and the full development council can be found at the official website.