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Courses

The University of Texas at Austin’s Game Development and Design (GDAD) Program has expanded to include the latest advancements in digital interactive and immersive media. Students in the program can specialize in different areas:

  • Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET): Focus on game animation, art, and design.
  • Computer Science (CS): Emphasis on coding for games and visualization.
  • Radio-Television-Film (RTF): Concentration on narrative design, cinematic arts, and emergent media.
  • Texas Immersive Institute (TXI): Courses on immersive media like AR/VR.

This collaborative effort offers a comprehensive curriculum blending art, programming, media, and design, with complementary minors and concentrations available across all four departments. Below is a sample list of courses offered across these academic units by game development discipline.

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Focus of Coursework across the GDAD Program

Animation-focused

2D:
  • AET 353: 2D Animation for Games
  • RTF 351C: Introduction to 2D Animation
  • RTF 351C: Advanced 2D Animation
3D:
  • AET 334: Game Character Animation
  • RTF 344M: 3D Animation and Digital Performances
Both 2D and 3D:
  • ADV 367: Experimental Storytelling
  • AET 324D: Principles of Animation
  • AET 339: Interactive Animation
  • RTF 368S: Undergraduate Media Studies Thesis
Other animation:
  • ADV 378: Creativity in AI
  • RTF 344M: Virtual Production

Art-focused

2D:
  • RTF 301C: Comics and Cartoons
  • RTF 344M: Virtual Production
3D:
  • AET 342C: 3D Modeling and Texturing
  • AET 342D: 3D Materials and Lighting
  • AET 334R: Tech Art 1
  • RTF 344M: CGI for Film and Games
  • RTF 344M: VFX for Storytelling
Both 2D and 3D:
  • AET 319: Foundations of Art & Content
  • AET 334E: Video Game Art Pipeline
  • RTF 329C: Digital Media Production
Other art:
  • AET 324J: Visual Storytelling
  • AET 330T: User Interfaces
  • RTF 344M: Video Game Production

A student wearing glasses works on a laptop while referencing notes in a sketchbook, with an architectural model in the foreground. Another student, wearing a backwards cap, leans in to observe. The classroom is filled with other students working on computers and models, with large windows providing natural light.

Coding-focused

Scripting:
  • AET 310: Foundations of Creative Coding
  • AET 334F: Video Game Scripting
  • AET 334R: Tech Art
  • AET 350C: Advanced Creative Coding
  • CS 329E: Elements of Game Development
  • RTF 344M: Video Game Production
Programming:
  • ADV 364: Immersive Experience
  • ADV 367: Experimental Storytelling
  • CS 354P: Game Programming Paradigms
  • CS354: Computer Graphics
  • CS 354R: Game Technology
Other coding:
  • ADV 378: Creativity in AI
  • AET 334E: Video Game Art Pipeline
  • RTF 344M: Interactive Media and Game Development

Development and production-focused

2D:
  • AET 319: Foundations of Design and Interactivity
  • AET 376/CS 354S/RTF 344T: 2D Game Development Capstone
  • CS329E: Elements of Game Development
  • RTF 344M: VFX for Storytelling
3D:
Both 2D and 3D:
  • ADV 364: Immersive Experience
  • ADV 378: Creativity in AI
  • AET 343: Solo Studio
  • AET 353: Games for Good
  • AET 358: Topics in Collaborative Studio
Other development:
  • RTF 344M: Interactive Media and Game Development
  • AET 339: Themed Entertainment Design
  • AET 333D: Video Game Production

A student wearing glasses works on a laptop while referencing notes in a sketchbook, with an architectural model in the foreground. Another student, wearing a backwards cap, leans in to observe. The classroom is filled with other students working on computers and models, with large windows providing natural light.

Narrative and design-focused

2D:
  • ADV 365: Audience Engagement
  • AET 333: Mobile Game Design
3D:
  • ADV 367: Experimental Storytelling
  • AET 346C: Video Game Modding
  • RTF 344M: Virtual Production
Both 2D and 3D:
  • ADV 364: Immersive Experience
  • ADV 378: Creativity in AI
  • AET 224K: Video Game Prototyping
  • AET 334C: Level Design
  • AET 339: Narrative Design
  • AET 339P: User Interfaces
  • AET 337N: Intro to Narrative
  • RTF 344M: VFX for Storytelling
Other narratives:
  • AET 339: Themed Entertainment Design
  • RTF 344M: Video Game Production

Research and studies-focused

  • ADV 365: Audience Engagement
  • ADV 378: Immersive Strategy
  • ADV 378: Designing for Participation
  • AET 304: Foundations of AET (VAPA)
  • AET 336C: Video Game History and Culture (VAPA)
  • AET 378H Thesis Writing
  • CS370: Undergraduate Reading and Research
  • RTF 331P: Video Game Culture and Criticism
  • RTF 331P: Video Game Industry
  • RTF 365: Latin American Media
  • RTF 437: History of Video Games

Sound-focused

Music:
  • AET 341C: Virtual Instruments
Both music and SFX:
  • AET 339 Video Game Audio
Other sound:
  • ADV 364: Immersive Experience
  • ADV 378: Creativity in AI
  • AET 339: Immersive Audio
  • AET 321C: Audio Processing
  • AET 339: Generative Audio Processing
  • RTF 366S: Sound Design and Mixing
  • RTF 366S: Audio Production into Post

Across All Departments: Game Development Capstone

The Game Development Capstone course is offered across all three departments and meets together in one classroom.  The 2D Capstone is offered in the fall semester and the 3D Capstone is offered in the spring semester. Course numbers for each department are as follows:

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)

For more information, go to Capstone.