As the demand for video game designers rises in Texas, more programs continue to pop up for students who want to study video game design in school.
For students in Texas and its environs, there are excellent video game design schools in Texas for you.
Video games are a $30 billion industry in the US, especially as more people play games on their mobile phones.
If you are trying to find a career that complements your passion for playing games, technology, design, coding, and digital art, then this article is for you.
You will find a list of the best video game design schools here. This compilation is to aid students in choosing the best automotive engineering program in Texas.
What is Video Game Design?
Designing a video game requires creativity and formal training. Video game design is the process of designing the content and rules of a video game in the pre-production stage.
The video game designer is responsible for the vision of the game. Also, they control the artistic and technical elements of the game.
Additionally, the job of a videogame designer is synonymous with that of a movie director. Essentially, a video game designer takes the toil of designing the gameplay, environment storyline, and assigning roles to characters.
Check this out: Top 15 Quick Certifications That Pay Well In 2024
What Do I learn in Videogame Design Program?
Basically, when you attend a video game design school, you learn subjects like animation, 2D and 3d modeling, level and interface design. Also, scripting, storyboard rendering, and drawing is essential to course work in any game design program you settle for.
In addition, you need to familiarise yourself with playing video games. What this does for you is that it aids you in discovering more effective ways to create yours better.
Even though it is possible, it is not advisable to separate video game designing from game development.
This is because to be an efficient designer, you need to understand how the codes work. Then, you can align your design to meet the specifications.
So, most game design programs cover Computer science. Game design, practical programming, and Mathematics alongside logic. Well, let’s see what each of these entails.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Video Game Designer?
Becoming a videogame designer doesn’t take much time.
In fact, the number of years you spend in school to become a videogame designer depends solely on what you want.
For Instance, if you want to be a freelance videogame designer for yourself or just for fun; you may take three to four months of training to perfect your skills.
However, if you wish to make a career out of this passion, then you need a degree. This may cost you four years in an undergraduate program and 2 to 3 years for a graduate program.
See also: Top 20 Interesting Games for College Students in 2024
How Much Does a Video Game Designer Earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), software application developers (which include game designers) made a median annual wage of $105,590 as of May 2018.
The major influence on the salary of a game designer is years of experience and degree. To earn better, you must equip yourself with educational qualifications and years of practical experience in similar industries.
Indeed, the software development industry, of which video games are a part, is enjoying growth spurred by the rapid utilization of Internet technology.
Is Game Design hard?
Like any other career, becoming a video game designer is difficult. However, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career if you persevere and study well.
In fact, your good effort will make it as easy to progress through as anything.
Video Game Design School Requirements
Even though the premium requirement is a high school diploma or GED. However, it is important to get a bachelor’s degree.
Thus, to become a video game designer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, game design, or computer science.
Furthermore, getting into the best video game design school will help your career definitely. I trust you to choose from any of the schools mentioned below.
Video Game Design School Cost
The total cost of becoming a videogame creator will cover tuition fees, books, and supplies in-game programming schools.
This may vary from $12,000 to nearly $40,000 a year if you attend a public or private school. In fact, the cost of becoming a videogame designer depends on the program you enroll for, the school and program format.
Furthermore, a Bachelor of Science degree in game programming from The Art institute attracts an annual tuition of $24,864.
Explore more: Google/Maliyo Games Developer Bootcamp 2024
How Do I Become a Videogame Designer Without a Degree?
In as much as you need at least a bachelor’s degree if you wish to work for big companies, You can still be a game designer without a college degree.
Basically, this means you would have to devote your time, learning and unlearning every day. Also, you will need to work closely with a professional videogame designer. In fact, you would have to pay rapt attention to get all the basics.
Then, you must watch a lot of videogames if possible, try your hands on as many as possible. In addition, you would have to create your designs following all you learned by your self.
Interestingly, your game designs will add up as work experience in your portfolio during the job hunt.
However, it would help if you sincerely had a degree, you never can tell, you might want to work with the big shots in the gaming industry.
It is important to note that your school choice will depend on many factors. Therefore, we used the following factors to effectively rank the best video game design schools in texas in 2024.
Accreditation
Knowing if a school is accredited or not is very important. This is because, without a school’s accreditation, the certificate you get from that school will have no market value. Thus, making your years spent in studying to become a waste.
Reputation
The reputation of a school is a very important factor to be considered. By this, we are discussing how real people (and employers!) view the university.
Your university’s reputation affects you and your career more than you might think.
It comprises the school’s history, location, academic success, physical conditions, and so on.
Acceptance rate
The higher the acceptance rate, the lower the ranking.
10 Best Video Game Design Schools in Texas in 2023
All of these schools have well-regarded game design programs and impressive facilities where you can play and design games.
#1. University of Houston–Victoria
The University of Houston-Victoria is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and specialist degrees (Level IV).
UHV offers two undergraduate programs and a graduate degree to aspiring game designers that opt to study in Texas.
In addition, to earn the Master of Science in Computer Science you’ll need to complete four challenging courses dealing with computer architecture, network design, algorithms, automata languages, and more.
Graduation rate 52% | Acceptance rate 54%
#2. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a public research university in College Station, Texas. As of 2020, Texas A&M’s student body is the largest in the United States.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 68%. However, with a GPA of 3.68, Texas A&M requires you to be above average in your high school class.
At Texas A&M University, the average cost after aid is $19K. Also, students who attend this game design school tend to graduate well as the school’s graduation rate is 80%.
#3. University Of The Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is a private university whose main campus is located in San Antonio and Alamo Heights, Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 87.9% and graduation rate of 56.4%.
UIW offers a 3D Animation & Game Design program with courses that will prepare you for a career in not just video games but TV and film as well.
#4. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private research university in University Park, Texas, with satellite campuses in Plano, Texas, and Taos, New Mexico.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 51.2% and graduation rate of 78.7%
Through the Meadows School of the Arts, SMU offers several programs for aspiring game designers. Programs include a BFA in Art/Masters of Interactive Technology (M.I.T) in Digital Game Development.
#5. Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Baptist research university in Waco, Texas. It was founded in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 38.9% and graduation rate of 74%.
Baylor University offers a broad range of degree programs (more than 250) among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
The School of Engineering and Computer Science houses the Department of Computer Science, which offers a Game Development Concentration within the BA and BS in Computer Science (BSCS) programs.
#6. University Of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin, often referred to as UT Austin, UT, or Texas, is a public research university in Austin, Texas, and the flagship institution of the University of Texas System.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 38.5% and graduation rate of 80.8%.
The University of Texas allows participating students to “individually build their pertinent skills within their respective degree programs, then come together to collaboratively develop 2D and 3D games for AR/VR, mobile, online, and personal computer platforms in the program’s culminating experience: The Capstone Course.”
#7. Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University is a public university in Huntsville, Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 78.5% and graduation rate of 67.1%
Some of the courses you’ll be taking include Character Animation, 2D Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Pre-Visualization, 3D Modeling, and 3D Animation for Interactive Games.
#8. Collin College
Collin College is a public community college district in Texas. It serves Collin County and Rockwall County, north and northeast of Dallas.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 100% and graduation rate of 8.1%
Collin College focuses on learning how to conceptualize and create 2D and 3D art for computer games. Courses on level design, animation, and game engines are also required.
#9. Lee College
Lee College is a public community college in Baytown, Texas near downtown Baytown and extension campuses throughout its service area.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 100% and graduation rate of 50.1%
Lee College has a program that provides a versatile education focused on the fundamentals and application of video game development.
This means you’ll get hands-on experience with programming, graphic art, storyboarding, animation, and more.
#10. Houston Community College
Houston Community College System (HCCS) is a community college system that operates community colleges in Houston, Missouri City, Greater Katy, and Stafford in Texas.
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees at the bachelors’, masters’, doctoral and professional levels.
The school’s acceptance rate is 100% and graduation rate of 20%.
Houston Community College also offers the perfect online program if you dream of making games for a living but first want to taste what it’s like to learn the necessary skills. It is called the Video Game Design and Development Online Training Program.
How Long Does it Take To Become a Videogame Designer?
Practically and Judiciously, it may take you 3 to 4 months to get concrete experience and build your first game design. However, it may take you four or six years if you intend getting a bachelor and master of science degree in game design.
Is Game Designing and Game Developing The Same?
No, they are not. Game designing basically majors designing content, rules, and structure of the game, while game development converts this design to a virtual game using computer codes.
FAQs– On Best Video Game Design Schools
The University of Southern California game design program ranks the best in the US. It offers two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degree programs that prepare students for a future in game design. The Interactive Media and Game design program are offered through the school of Cinematic Arts.
Best countries to study game development
#1. Game Development in USA.
#2. Game Development in Canada.
#3. Game Development in UK.
#4. Game Development in Belgium.
If you want to work in the United States, the West Coast is a good place to look for game jobs. California alone offers nearly 100 game studios, and if you combine Seattle and its suburb of Bellevue, then Washington State comes in at 44 hotbed studios on par with Texas (apparently, Austin).
Conclusion
A career in game designing is not a bad choice. It requires powerful creativity and technology innovation. There are varieties of job opportunities for these professionals.
Many institutions in Texas offer game designing programs. And the best part is that the number of years you spend in school to become a videogame designer depends solely on what you want.
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