Dallas College

Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design)


1 Certificate 1 Associate Degree
Request More Info

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.

View Examples of Student Developed Games

Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design) at a Glance

Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.

Certificate Programs

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$1,782

Estimated time to complete1:

8 months

  • Brookhaven
  • Cedar Valley
  • Eastfield
  • El Centro
  • Mountain View
  • North Lake
  • Richland3

Associate Degrees

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$5,940

Estimated time to complete1:

2 years

  • Richland3

Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?

Credit Certificates

Dallas College offers credit certificates that provide focused, career-ready skills recognized by employers.

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 toward 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

Associate Degrees

Dallas College's associate degrees provide a strong academic foundation for career entry or transfer to a four-year institution.

Can I Transfer?

Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.

  • If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
  • You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
  • The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.

If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.

Pathway Specialist

Questions About Degrees and Certificates?

We know applying to college can be confusing. If you are not yet a Dallas College student, you have a whole team of recruitment coaches to help guide you through programs and the enrollment process.

Current students, contact your success coach (advisor) who can answer any questions you have about Interactive Simulation and Game Technology (Game Design) programs and your degree and certificate options.

Contact a Recruitment Coach

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!

two females sitting at a computer desk with two monitors and pointing

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
female sitting at a computer desk with laptop and looking at camera smiling

Software Developers

$63/hr

Median Salary

6410

Job Openings

+28%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Programming
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Systems Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Writing
  • Operations Analysis
two females standing and looking at a large monitor with a character skech

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
male sitting at a computer desk with two monitors playing and designing a game

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.

“It was great! I felt like the teachers were really involved and they answered all my questions I had. They pushed me in the right direction and the classrooms were really tight-knit. You meet people and it was a good environment to learn. ” Read Erin England's story.
A headshot of Erin England
Erin England
Associate Level Designer

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

group of speakers presenting to a class

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.

Game Dev Career Workshop (Highlights)

More Videos

Student Mock Interview by Gearbox Software   Game Dev Career Workshop (Full Session)

Awards

In 2023 our students won state and national gold medals for game development at the SkillsUSA competition. 

winners standing in a line holdings hands up

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.

Join the Discord community

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.

Visit SharePoint (login required)

Find Out More About Dallas College

Sign up to receive additional information about Dallas College or call 972-669-6400.

School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Sciences

Dallas College

How would you like to take your courses?

Earn College Credit for What you Already Know

I would like to know more about earning credit for what I know through job or life experience.

*By providing your cellphone number, you agree to receive text messages from Dallas College. Message frequency may vary, and message and data rates from your carrier may apply. Reply to any Dallas College text message with STOP to opt out at any time.

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 for credit courses 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. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education and Ed2Go courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. 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.

Updated June 25, 2026