LEADING & INNOVATING SINCE 2003

BUILT BY THE INDUSTRY,
FOR THE INDUSTRY

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Alumni Success

Award-Winning Game Dev Education
Turns Passion into Profession

Game Changers Since 2003 | Recognized as one of the first and best grad schools for game design, SMU Guildhall has been at the forefront of a dynamic, evolving industry for over 20 years. Our Master's-level education stands out as uniquely positioned:

- A fully studio-mirrored multidisciplinary approach including the rare feature of having specializations in all four cornerstones of game development

- A faculty of industry veterans with decades of industry leadership experience across hundreds of games and numerous studios

- Advanced, rigorous curriculum that yields award-winning published student games and fascinating research that is being used to change the world

- A state-of-the-art immersive learning laboratory, where students receive industry-commended, studio-modeled training on today's leading systems

- Ample and regular access to industry through our many Career Services and an extensive global alumni network

Specializations

Art
Key Focus Areas:
- Character modeling
- Virtual sculpting
- Anatomy
- Rigging and weighting
- Animation
- Environmental modeling
- Modularity
- Game engine pipelines
- Lighting and post-processing
- Concept art
Learn More About Art
Design
Key Focus Areas:
- Using a variety of game editors
- Working with other disciplines
- Player psychology
- Player immersion
- Level layout & player flow
- Multi-player & single-player design
- Game aesthetics & architecture
- Encounter & puzzle design
- Storytelling & character development
- Interface design and systems design
Learn More About Design
Production
Key Focus Areas:
- Game development planning
- Pitching game concepts
- Digital game publishing and marketing
- Executive leadership
- Economics of the digital gaming industry
- User research
- Organizational behavior
- Product lifecycles
- Project management
- Business communication
Learn More About Production
Programming
Key Focus Areas:
- Game engine design & architecture
- Data-driven gameplay systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Networked multiplayer systems
- User input, controls & interfaces
- Procedural content generation
- 2D & 3D graphics and shaders
- Game physics techniques
- Audio techniques
- Memory management
Learn More About Programming

Key Focus Areas:

Character modeling
Virtual sculpting
Anatomy
Rigging and weighting
Animation
Environmental modeling
Modularity
Game engine pipelines
Lighting and post-processing
Concept art

Learn More About Art

Key Focus Areas:

Using a variety of game editors
Working with other disciplines
Player psychology
Player immersion
Level layout & player flow
Multi-player & single-player design
Game aesthetics & architecture
Encounter & puzzle design
Storytelling & character development
Interface design and systems design

Learn More About Design

Key Focus Areas:

Game development planning
Pitching game concepts
Digital game publishing and marketing
Executive leadership
Economics of the digital gaming industry
User research
Organizational behavior
Product lifecycles
Project management
Business communication

Learn More About Production

Key Focus Areas:

Game engine design & architecture
Data-driven gameplay systems
Artificial Intelligence
Networked multiplayer systems
User input, controls & interfaces
Procedural content generation
2D & 3D graphics and shaders
Game physics techniques
Audio techniques
Memory management

Learn More About Programming

Career Services:

Level Up Your Future

Our students and alumni are highly sought for art, design, production, and programming positions across the world. Our Career Services for students and alumni, bolstered by a longstanding industry network, can help you achieve a rewarding career in the video game industry.

Students receive ample and regular access to industry through a multitude of Career Services. From portfolio reviews and special topics presentations with developers, to mixers and mentorship opportunities, we not only help get you studio-ready in the classroom but also provide many ways to connect directly with experienced professionals throughout your time in our program.

Guildhall Career Services Guildhall Industry Partners

News

2025 GDC Alumni and Student Speakers
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App Feature: Game Design Meets Education — Behind the Scenes of the Mathfinder App
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Fall 2024 Industry Involvement Roundup
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Events

Jul

15

2024-2025 Academic Calendar
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LEADING & INNOVATING SINCE 2003

BUILT BY THE INDUSTRY,
FOR THE INDUSTRY

Award-Winning Game Dev Education
Turns Passion into Profession

Specializations

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

1000+ ALUMNI AT 350+ STUDIOS

The Video Game Industry Is Your Sandbox

Level Up Your Future

News

Events

LEADING & INNOVATING SINCE 2003

BUILT BY THE INDUSTRY, FOR THE INDUSTRY

Award-Winning Game Dev Education Turns Passion into Profession

Specializations

The Video Game Industry Is Your Sandbox

Level Up Your Future

BUILT BY THE INDUSTRY,
FOR THE INDUSTRY

Award-Winning Game Dev Education
Turns Passion into Profession