Video games are made by teams of creative people from many disciplines. Whether you’re interested in art, animation, design or programming, the Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (ISGT) program will give you the skills needed to build a successful career or start your own company.
In our program, you will learn how to:
- Make games as part of team.
- Build a portfolio showcasing your unique talents to show to game studios (employers).
- Take your knowledge and become an entrepreneur by releasing your own games.
- Run your own studio, with the mentorship of faculty.
Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design) at a Glance
4-8 months to complete1
$1,782 tuition2
- Brookhaven
- Cedar Valley
- Eastfield
- El Centro
- Mountain View
- North Lake
- Richland3
2 years to complete1
$5,940 tuition2
- Richland3
What Can I Study?
I Want to Go to Work
-
Workforce Certificates
- Game Development - Animation Specialist I $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Animation Specialist II $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Art Specialist I $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Art Specialist II $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Design Specialist I $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Design Specialist II $4,320 4 months
- Game Development - Programming Specialist I $4,320 4 months
- Game Development _ Programming Specialist II $4,320 4 months
Can I Get a Job?
Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.
- These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
- Higher level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
- Workforce (CE) Certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
- Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others, offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work towards an Associate Degree.
- Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.
If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for advice.
Pathway Specialist
- 972-669-6400
- PathwaySpecialist@DallasCollege.edu
What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?
With art, animation, design or programming skills, you can shine in the game design field or related industries. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!
Art Directors
$28/hr
Median Salary
232
Job Openings
+17%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Writing
- Persuasion
Software Developers
$63/hr
Median Salary
6410
Job Openings
+28%
Projected Outlook
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$28/hr
Median Salary
96
Job Openings
+22%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
Video Game Designers
$41/hr
Median Salary
328
Job Openings
+20%
Projected Outlook
Top Skills:
- Programming
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
- Time Management
- Systems Analysis
- Writing
All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.
“Now that I look at it, it was the best decision I ever made. The teachers realized I had a lot of passion for it, and they taught me to understand how things work.” Read Mustafa Alobaidi's story.
A Look Inside Game Design
Calling all video gamers! Did you know you can turn your passion into a rewarding career?
Dallas College offers an Interactive Simulation and Game Technology program that gives you the skills you need to start your career in video game design.
During the program, you'll get hands on experience, grow a professional network of developers, and build dozens of game projects.
Our expert instructors guide you through the fundamentals in a variety of classes including programming, character animation, level design, concept art, and game design.
You'll have access to the latest gaming software and equipment including gaming computers, virtual reality headsets, video game engines, and more!
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a portfolio of valuable content showcasing your unique skillset, and you’ll be well equipped to start your job search.
Enroll in our Interactive Simulation and Game Technology program at Dallas College, where creativity meets technology and dreams take shape.
For more information, contact game@dallascollege.edu.
The ISGT program gives you the skills you need by giving you specialization in specific disciplines.
Animation
- Principles of Animation
- Character Rigging
- Visual FX
Programming
- Gameplay design
- Game engines
- Rendering and shaders
Art
- 3D modeling
- 2D concept art
- Lighting
Design and Production
- Level Design
- Game Production
- Game Design
Dallas Games Industry
Richland is located right in the heart of Dallas, which is considered one of the top cities in the United States for game development and currently has over 30 game companies that employ around 1,000 people. Some of the larger companies that each employ a few hundred people include ID Software, which makes games such as "Doom," "Quake," "Rage" and "Wolfenstein," as well as Gearbox Software, which is responsible for the popular games series "Borderlands," "Brothers in Arms," "Duke Nukem Forever" and more recently, "Aliens Colonial Marines." Dallas is also home to Bottle Rocket Apps, which is a large mobile app and game developer that has produced over 50 apps and ranked number five in the top 100 places to work in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, from a list of over 10,000 companies.
Being so close to the industry gives us an advantage most other schools don't have, allowing our students special opportunities, like being able to visit a company and playtest soon-to-be-released games; having company tour days, where we pick a company and tour their offices; and lastly, industry days, where we invite professionals from these companies to come and see some of our students' latest work!
Advisory Board
Our two-year Associate in Applied Science degree introduces students to the art and technology behind video game design and creation through a diverse and challenging curriculum designed by a core group of industry leaders from some of the top local game companies in the area. These leaders make up the Advisory Board, which meets biannually to discuss new game industry trends and how these trends can apply to the program, classes and faculty.
Faculty
The faculty of the program have much experience and can offer students a wealth of knowledge, not only on the subjects being taught, but also helping students choose the best career path in the video game development profession. Because of the large games industry in Dallas, Richland has access to a talented pool of professionals, which it draws on when recruiting faculty. Some of our faculty work during the day at game companies in the area, holding such positions as Lead Animator, Art Director and Concept Artist. These instructors are brought into the program to teach early morning, nighttime or weekend classes at the campus.
Because of our close proximity to the games industry, Richland is a great place for companies to look for fresh new talent, allowing students to get their foot in the door through internships as game testers and to ultimately find their dream job making video games.
Industry Lectures
The ISGT program at Richland brings in professionals from across the metroplex to give special lectures to students during the semester. This offers students a chance to hear unique perspectives directly from industry professionals.
The Interactive Simulation and Gaming Technology (ISGT) program has an active community, both on campus, online and in collaboration with local organizations. We frequently host student events and connect our students with various organizations and companies in the area.
Panel Discussions
A panel of Gearbox employees discussing visual effects.
Game Workshop
Watch the complete session from the Dec. 6, 2024, Game Workshop at Dallas College, featuring two experienced industry professionals as they discuss game development careers, breaking into the industry, what makes a standout portfolio, and how to succeed in job interviews. This uncut recording offers valuable advice and real talk for students ready to turn their passion for games into a career path.
More Videos
Learn more about this exciting accomplishment.
Students celebrating their win in the Interactive Application and Videogame Development category.
Online Communities
Discord Online Community (Public)
Join our Discord community to talk to fellow students, alumni and faculty. You’ll also receive notifications about upcoming events.
SharePoint (Current Students and Employees)
If you're a current student or employee, please access our live SharePoint site for resources, community events and more.
Find Out More About Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design)
Sign up to receive additional information about Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design) or call 972-669-6400.
School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Sciences
- 972-238-6248
- AskETMS@dallascollege.edu
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- 972-669-6400
- Text College to 214-978-6457
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1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
2Cost is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.
3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.
4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.