Award-winning, internationally top-ranked graduate video game development education program, recognized as one of the best game design programs in the world.
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Today we welcome 56 students at New Student Orientation. Cohort 34 joins us from China, India, Taiwan and the United States (with 10 states represented). 40% are female, and 18 students have already worked or interned in the gaming industry! We are so excited to see what you ideate, create, and achieve over the next two years. Welcome to the Hilltop and your new home in Ford Hall ๐
08/22/2024
We look forward to welcoming Cohort 34 to campus โ beginning with todayโs Meet & Greet event and followed by Orientation on Friday and the 2024 GameJam on Saturday! It will be a great weekend ๐๐ฎ
07/12/2024
Video games are used in so many different types of applications in a wide range of industries. Check this one out!
06/18/2024
Ladies and gents, boys and girls, welcome to the festival! Rev your engines and come play Fastival โ Free on Steam: https://bit.ly/3Rp1d4k
06/15/2024
Turn yesterday's Flag Day ๐บ๐ธ into Flag WEEKEND! ๐๐ Gather your friends for some good fun with Fastival, a single or multiplayer racing game now free on Steam. Who can collect the most wacky item power-ups and speed around the carnival rides the fastest? https://bit.ly/3Rp1d4k
06/14/2024
3-2-1, go! ๐ฆ๐ Your bumper car is ready ๐๏ธ Come race in Fastival, a new student-made racing game on Steam. Pick your player and zoom around the carnival from level to level, collecting carnival tickets for wacky power-up and defense items. https://bit.ly/3Rp1d4k
06/13/2024
Pick your adorable player and add this game to your wishlist now! Get ready to race tomorrow, 6/14, as Fastival launches on Steam. Race around a merry-go-round and a field of giant wack-a-moles, zoom across a roller coaster, fly through a ring of fire, and get launched by a cannon up into the big top circus tent. The fun awaits you: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2830700/Fastival/?curator_clanid=34088398
06/12/2024
Coming this Friday: Fastival, a cute and cartoony arcade racing game made by SMU students. Race through an enchanting carnival and look out for wacky obstacles and cool shortcuts as you compete against up to three friends. Wishlist now on Steam! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2830700/Fastival/?curator_clanid=34088398
Race through an enchanting carnival and be on the lookout for wacky obstacles and cool shortcuts as you compete against up to three other friends in this cute and cartoony arcade racing game!
05/15/2024
Did you catch our feature in the Spring 2024 edition of Magazine? The story originally ran in the as well. We were excited to be able to share about our 20th anniversary of game development education and unlocking achievements for 20 years as .
05/12/2024
A few photos from this very special day. More to come!
05/10/2024
As we prepare for Cohort 32 to graduate tomorrow, we honor all that they have completed throughout their two years of study in our program. From thought-provoking research to commercial-quality team games, they've worked so hard to get to where they are today. Way to go! View our C32 catalog here:
Joomag digital interactive publication
05/08/2024
Congrats to the Kneedle Knight team for winning Best Game Mechanics and the Short Form Game of the Year awards at this year's Student Game Awards! https://linktr.ee/studentgameawards
Play free: kneedleknight.com
Linktree. Make your link do more.
05/07/2024
More photos from our annual Thesis Exhibition. Thank you to the students and faculty who shared these great captures!
05/06/2024
Did you know we live stream our Guildhall graduation ceremony every year? Watch the SMU Guildhall Diploma Ceremony this Saturday at 11:30am on our YouTube channel:
See segments covering news, events, features, games and more from The Guildhall at SMU.
05/03/2024
Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more about the impressive, brilliant work done by our C32 game development masterโs students. We love getting to hear them show off their thesis projects after many, many months of very hard work. You did it!
05/03/2024
Congrats to students in Cohort 32 for your hard work! Today, we showcase C32's Thesis students at our annual Thesis Exhibition from 11am-2:30pm. Stop by Ford Hall and see their thought provoking studies, or view our newly published C32 cohort catalog: https://joom.ag/v6kd
04/26/2024
You are invited to join us May 3 from 11am-2:30pm for our 2024 Master's Thesis Exhibition, showcasing Cohort 32. Come mingle, support, snack & observe! Session 1 11am-12:30pm; Intermission 12:30-1pm; Session 2 1-2:30pm
Register here to attend! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bmafycf
04/16/2024
We are now officially badged as a 2024 Unreal Academic Partner! This signifies confirmation that our program is recognized by Epic Games as a valid and proven Education & Training Partner for Unreal Engine.
Home of digital credentials
04/08/2024
Very cool to watch the 2024 Eclipse at Ford Hall with the students, faculty, and staff of SMU Guildhall โ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ๐ Take a peek at some of the great photos shared from the collective.
Download the Art of Asurya's Embers today! Embark on a captivating journey to the majestic Himalayas as you delve into the enchanting world of Asurya's Embers through the pages of our exquisite (and free!) digital Art Book. The genesis of the artwork for Asurya's Embers dates back to the summer of 2...
03/28/2024
Recruiter registration is still open to attend our Career Fair! Have an anticipated opening? Come interview students seeking opportunities starting summer and beyond. Questions? DM us. We have ways to participate even if not presently hiring.
Connecting todayโs top studios with tomorrowโs top talent. The SMU Guildhall Career Fair connects students and alumni with the industryโs top studios.
03/27/2024
Hiring studios and developers: Your insight is needed! Want to attend our annual Career Fair but your company is not currently hiring? We've heard you and created a new opportunity just for you, the Application Workshop. We're looking for industry professionals to participate in a brand new, special way by helping our students to "level up" their application materials. This includes networking with our students and providing resume feedback, portfolio reviews, and mock interviews. Learn more & Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/a6byduh
03/22/2024
You can now play Kneedle Knight on Epic Game Store! https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/kneedle-knight-f3bbbb ๐ฎ
Learn why reviewers can't get enough: "This game rocks. The amount of effort put into it man, the cutscenes, the voice acting, the OST, it all feels on par with something of a paid game, and I honestly would've paid money for this." | "Fun, cozy game with creative enemies and beautiful art. Satisfying and fun!" | "This is an excellent throw back to the old N64 3D platformers I highly recommend everyone give this one a go."
Download and play Kneedle Knight for FREE at the Epic Games Store. Check for platform availability and play today!
Join us for our annual Career Fair and Mixer on April 10-11, 2024 โ You're Invited: SMU GUILDHALL ๏ปฟCareer Fair Employer registration is now open for our 2024 Career Fair! Graduating and current studen
03/18/2024
Embarking on the journey of game development as students is no small feat. Each of our Capstone games accept a unique challenge: creating captivating games within a single semester! ๐จ Listen as developers from Asurya's Embers reflect on the hustle and creativity that went into not building the game against a tight 400-hour timeframe, including constantly fine-tuning it based on player feedback. How did the team manage their time effectively, and what lessons can we glean from their experience in balancing development and playtesting?
Let's dive into a conversation about the challenges and triumphs of student game development. How can time constraints fuel innovation, and what strategies are crucial in managing limited resources effectively?
58 seconds ยท Clipped by Lindsey McGonigle ยท Original video "Asurya's Embers Developer Panel Interview" by SMU Guildhall
03/17/2024
The programmers for Asurya's Embers faced a challenging quest: crafting seamless in-game animations that bridge the gap between third-person aesthetics and the immersive experience of a first-person game. Imagine the intricate dance of creativity and technical prowess as they tackled the challenge of making animations designed for one perspective shine in another. How did they overcome the hurdles, and what trade-offs were made in the pursuit of visual perfection?
The ultimate showdown: Creating a final boss that not only looked good but soared through the skies, interacted seamlessly with the environment, and posed a formidable threat to players. ๐ก๏ธ๐ฅ Share your thoughts on the art of balancing visual spectacle with gameplay mechanics. How crucial are these details in elevating the overall gaming experience? https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx44IZZn54AKZZMQqzG_D6fHN8UraNKmV_?si=Gz7y10dqC7yUZPtQ
34 seconds ยท Clipped by Lindsey McGonigle ยท Original video "Asurya's Embers Developer Panel Interview" by SMU Guildhall
03/16/2024
At the heart of Asurya's Embers lies a rich tapestry of cultural inspiration, woven together by a diverse team with various cultural backgrounds. ๐๐ซ From setting and narrative to character design, each cultural thread contributed to the unique fabric of the game. The team dedicated significant efforts to ensure the game resonated respectfully with the cultures that influenced its design. Share your thoughts on how diverse perspectives can elevate storytelling, character development, and the overall gaming experience!
Texas summers are notorious for their scorching heat, but the developers behind Asurya's Embers found inspiration in the relentless sun. They challenged the concept of light vs. shadow by making shaded regions the "safe zone" within the game. Have you played Asurya's Embers yet? How did flipping the script on light vs. shadow present new challenges and opportunities for the player? Play now on Steam (https://bit.ly/49U7njR + EGS (https://bit.ly/42YW9by)
29 seconds ยท Clipped by Lindsey McGonigle ยท Original video "Asurya's Embers Developer Panel Interview" by SMU Guildhall
03/14/2024
One month away! Our annual Career Fair is April 10-11 in Dallas, TX. We invite game studios and companies looking for game development talent to come meet our job seekers. Registration is open for employers & job seeking students and alumni. Learn more: https://www.smu.edu/guildhall/about/career-fair
03/13/2024
In honor of the Pangolin in Asurya's Embers, the development team made a contribution and symbolic adoption of a Pangolin to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect species and their habitats. We love seeing student generosity at work for worthy causes.
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Videos
Ladies and gents, boys and girls, welcome to the festival! Rev your engines and come play Fastival โ Free on Steam: https://bit.ly/3Rp1d4k
Congratulations Cohort 32! You did it!
At the heart of Asurya's Embers lies a rich tapestry of cultural inspiration, woven together by a diverse team with various cultural backgrounds. ๐๐ซ From setting and narrative to character design, each cultural thread contributed to the unique fabric of the game. The team dedicated significant efforts to ensure the game resonated respectfully with the cultures that influenced its design. Share your thoughts on how diverse perspectives can elevate storytelling, character development, and the overall gaming experience!
Play now on Steam (https://bit.ly/49U7njR + EGS (https://bit.ly/42YW9by)
Behind the making of the Asurya's Embers Dragon Boss: How was it made? Listen as the creators share their insights behind the dragon's art, rigging, animation, and programming.
Play the game and slay the dragon here โ Steam: https://bit.ly/49U7njR + EGS: https://bit.ly/42YW9by
#newgame #gamedev #indiegame #indiegamedev #studentgame #gamedeveducation #gamedesign #gameprogramming #gaming #freetoplay #steamfree #steamgames #epicgames #epicgamestore #egs
#newgame Asurya's Embers is a bow & arrow shooter set in an ancient Himalayan village plagued by an environmental disaster. The game is newly available for free on Steam and EGS. Play now and explore the action as you find safety in the shadows & protect your village from the vengeful sun god, Asurya.
It got toasty up in Sun Slayer during the #gamedev process. ๐ฅ Peek our insider footage of the Asurya's Embers launch party as the game went live ๐ To our viewersโplay on #Steam (https://bit.ly/49U7njR) or #EGS (https://bit.ly/42YW9by) & slay some enemies! ๐ฒ #gaming #newgame
Have you checked out our newest free game, Asurya's Embers? If not, click now to play on Steam (https://bit.ly/49U7njR) or EGS (https://bit.ly/42YW9by). This beautiful game is student-made; downloads & reviews help their journey to being developers starting May 2024!
BTS celebratory moment as new student-made game Kneedle Knight was launched. Have you played yet? Use magic, puzzle solving & platforming skills as brave mouse, Sir Lukoss the Small. Quick, fun, free! *#speedrun it for extra challenge* https://bit.ly/3uz4m9M
#steamgame #newgame #gamedev #SMU #gaming
Wishlist this! Our new student-made magical, mousy game Kneedle Knight launches Feb 21st on Steam. ๐งถโจ๐ฎCraft, conjure, and combat curses as Sir Lukoss the Small in your mission to defeat the candle minions and the Witch of Fabric. Save the game to your Steam wishlist now and play on Feb 21st โ link in bio ๐ฎ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2491720/Kneedle_Knight/
Coming Feb 21 to Steam: Kneedle Knight, a new student-made game from SMU Guildhall. Conjure fabric with a magic needle as Sir Lukoss the Small. Solve puzzles, platform across magical objects, and defeat cursed candle minions to return to normal and defeat the Witch of Fabric!
Visit the Kneedle Knight page on Steam today to preview and add it to your wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2491720/Kneedle_Knight/
About the Game
This short, commercial-quality title is provided for free to the public. It was developed by a small student team in one semester, representing the culmination of two years in game development education. Our curriculum is designed to teach students how to make a game and send it to market, emulating industry-standard style and pace.
Our program is celebrating our 20th year of game development education. Since 2003, our students have made over 648 team games. 27 of those games are available on the Steam platform, where they are showcased and compete alongside commercially produced titles. Collectively our student games have garnered over a million downloads and positive reviews by gamers worldwide.
Why Wishlist?
Wishlisting allows you to be notified when the game is released, and it also helps the students reach more interested players via improved visibility in the Steam platform. Our students thank you in advance!
#steamgames #gamedev #videogames #freegames #freetoplay #indiegame #studentgames #smu
Hats off to Cohort 31 ๐ Go change the world, game changers!
Today is @SMU Giving Day. For 24 hours, the SMU community has the power to rally together and transform tomorrow. This year, Giving Day features an opportunity to give toward the Guildhall Academy summer camp for grades 6-12! All contributions supporting our game dev summer camp will be used toward offering camp scholarships for Grades 6-12 Students who want to become game developers. We have had past campers come into our program years later and then out into the game dev workforce โ it's awesome to see! And this year, Giving Day is offering an avenue for the community to be part of that success story via Giving Day scholarships.You can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e3pBGs9Y #smu #smugivingday #smugivingday2023
Did you know? Beyond our in-house faculty of game industry veterans and pros, we also partner with incredible talent outside of our walls โ like Guido Arcella and SMU Meadows School of the Arts. Here you can see how their musical talents come together to compose game audio. Absolutely beautiful! We love being able to see the talents from Meadows students being showcased in our Guildhall game projects. A perfect combination!#soundtrack #gamesoundtrack #gamedev #gameschool #gamedeveducation Arcella Sound
Happy Halloween from SMU Guildhall!
Love racing games? Try this new FREE Steam title! ๐ฎ โ๏ธ
Snowpainters is a fun penguin racer full of color & excitement. Play alone or w/ friends, race on colorful paint trails + bring color to a snowy environment! Download on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1545710/Snowpainters/
#indiegame #gamedev #freegame #indiedev
And we're live! We just launched the best early Christmas-in-July gift FREE can buy. Come play our student game Snowpainters and enjoy a fun, colorful world of speedy shade-shifting penguins: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1545710/Snowpainters/
#newgame #gamelaunch #free #indiegame #indiedev #steam #gamedev
It's Christmas in July โ๏ธ There's a FLURRY of excitement in the air as we prep to launch our #newgame, Snowpainters tomorrow! Head to @Steam to wishlist it now and get notified when it launches: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1545710/Snowpainters/
#steamgames #racinggame #indiedev #indiegame #gamedev #SMU
The Guildhall was established in 2003 as a premier graduate-level video game development education program in the United States. It was created at the request of the game development industry to train its future leaders.
With masterโs degree and professional certificate programs in game development, we turn a passion for gaming into a viable and fulfilling career. Students select the path of game development they want to pursue โ Art, Design, Production, or Programming โ and develop their skills in specialization-specific classes as well as interdisciplinary Team Game Production, in which they will make 3+ games during their time with the Guildhall. Studentsโ independent research informs Masterโs Theses and Directed Focus Studies that pursue passion projects, analyze current industry trends, and solve critical issues.
With SMU Guildhallโs low student-to-faculty ratio, youโll learn from and be mentored by our faculty of successful game developers, who have worked with over 40 leading game studios including: Activision/Blizzard, Atari, Day 1, Electronic Arts, Gearbox, id, LucasArts, Microsoft, Oculus, Origin Systems, Playful, Red Storm, Retro, Robot, Rovio, Sega, Sony, Terminal Reality, Ubisoft,Valve, and many more. Full-time faculty have worked on more than 290 professional games across three decades.
Our game development education tops the charts. This is evident not only by our consistent high rankings among the top graduate game design programs across the world, but also by our accomplished faculty, award-winning student games, and 770+ in-demand alumni who have worked at 270+ studios worldwide.
The quantity and award-winning commercial quality of our games is a top reason that aspiring game developers apply to SMU Guildhall and that employers seek out our graduates. Using engines like Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Half-Life 2 (Source), and Skyrim (Creation Engine), we produce 2D and 3D games on a variety of platforms โ including PC, console, mobile, and VR โ while modeling the structure of a real game studio.
Our games are developed in the style and pace of the industry. Teams of artists, designers, producers, and programmers collaboratively concept, prototype, build, test, and release their games directly or via Steam. Team size and composition evolves to allow students to take on both lead & supporting roles. The first games created by each cohort are made in small teams and serve as foundational stepping stones toward the creation of their final large-scale, total-conversion Capstone projects.
We admit students each Fall semester. A rolling application cycle starts in December for enrollment for Fall of the following year. You can learn more about applying to SMU Guildhall at https://www.smu.edu/Guildhall/Admissions.