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Game Development and Design Program | University of Texas at Austin

About the Capstone

The culminating experience of the University of Texas at Austin’s Game Development and Design Program is the 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 to form small teams. Each student contributes their specialized knowledge to the group creation of 2D and 3D games for mobile, online and social platforms. 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 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 Capstone Course.

Course Descriptions

2D Capstone (Fall Semesters):
Most mobile, social, and casual games are 2D games. Why not learn how to make them for the rapidly growing mobile, social and casual game markets? 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 are more challenging and immersive than 2D games and, for many game studios, more lucrative. Learn how to make 3D games (including virtual reality games) in small teams of 5-8 while learning the common practices and processes of game studios.

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 experience are preferred:

  • Arts and Entertainment Technologies: Students with relevant AET game art and design courses
  • Computer Science: Students with relevant courses in computer graphics or game technology
  • Radio-Television-Film: Students with relevant production courses in digital and emergent media as listed on the Emergent Cinematic Arts page
  • 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 prior expertise 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 use their own laptops.

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