Game Development and Design Program (GDAD)

The university of texas at austin (ut) game development and design program (gdad) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program for undergraduate students who are interested in learning how to build creative, game, immersive experiences and those who are interested in applying game technology beyond entertainment. 

Since 2012, the program has produced career- and studio-ready graduates who can design, develop, and provide leadership using game technology, wherever it is needed.

Working alongside local organizations, such as EGaDS! (UT’s game development student organization) and industry studios, GDAD is dedicated to graduating creative, scholarly, and talented students in the practices of digital media, game, and AR/VR. To accomplish this, GDAD students have the opportunity to take classes across four academic units. 

Classes focused specifically on game animation, art, and design are offered by Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET), coursework in coding for games and visualization are offered by Department of Computer Science (CS), courses offered by Department of Radio-Television-Film (RTF) center on narrative design, cinematic arts, and emergent media, and courses on immersive experiences are offered by the Texas Immersive Institute (TXI). 

Under this joint endeavor, complementary minor programs and concentrations are exclusively offered by all four entities to provide a broad and comprehensive curriculum that blends instruction in art, programming, media,and design.