The culminating experience of the University of Texas at Austin’s Game Development and Design Program is the Game Development Capstone Course. This course brings together students from different disciplines who work together in small teams of 5-8 to develop 2D and 3D games. The class reflects the realities of the industry: people with diverse talents collaborating together to meet a deadline.
The Capstone Course brings together students from the departments of Arts and Entertainment Technologies, Computer Science and Radio-Television-Film, as well as from the Texas Immersive Institute, to form small teams. Each student contributes their specialized knowledge to the group for the creation of 2D and 3D games. Students gain a thorough understanding of the 2D and 3D development process throughout the course while modeling the environment and practices used in game studios and the larger media industry. Throughout the course, students learn and teach one another about their varied disciplines while working in teams to prepare projects for commercial launch. Local game companies and industry professionals are committed to evaluating student projects throughout the course and hiring successful graduates.
Learn more about how to apply to the Game Development Capstone Course.
Course Descriptions
2D Capstone (Fall Semesters):
Most mobile, social, and casual games are 2D games, as well as many PC and some console games. Teams of 5-8 students come together to create engaging 2D games to show prospective employers and the world.
3D Capstone (Spring Semesters):
3D games are the standard of the AAA game industry. They can be more challenging and immersive than 2D games and, for many game studios, more lucrative. Learn how to make 3D games (including AR/VR games) in small teams of 5-8 while learning the common practices and processes of game studios.
Game Development Capstone Course Numbers
- Arts and Entertainment Technologies: AET 376 (2D) and AET 377 (3D)
- Computer Science: CS 354S (2D) and CS 354T (3D)
- Radio-Television-Film: RTF 344T (2D & 3D)
Schedule for Capstone:
- Monday & Friday Class: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
- Wednesday Lab: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Eligibility
The Capstone Course is an upper-division course generally taken during a student’s senior year (though juniors are welcome to apply). Applications from students with the following skills and experience are preferred:
- Arts and Entertainment Technologies: Students with relevant AET game courses that demonstrate animation, art, and design skills
- Computer Science: Students with relevant courses with computer graphics and/or game technology skills that demonstrate game programming skills
- Radio-Television-Film: Students with relevant production courses in digital and emergent media skills that demonstrate creative, narrative, and production skills
- Texas Immersive Institute: Students with relevant immersive media skills that demonstrate immersive designing, production, and technology skills
- Bridging Disciplines Program: Digital Art and Media students who are not majoring in Computer Science, Arts and Entertainment Technologies or Radio-Television-Film must have some combination of courses that demonstrate expertise and skills in any area of game design and development.
Equipment
Because of the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the course, it is highly recommended that students bring their laptops to class.
