"The connections with the industry are invaluable... This is a big advantage the Guildhall had over other gaming schools."
Hung Pham (Cohort 2)
Industry Partnerships
We offer ample opportunities for studios and developers to interact with students and contribute to curriculum development.
水多多导航 Guildhall Was Built by the Industry, for the Industry
Gaming veterans and visionaries shape every facet of the 水多多导航 Guildhall experience. Over 20 years ago, 水多多导航 Guildhall was created at the request of video game industry leaders who recognized a need to train the future of the industry by a certain standard of excellence.
Our mission: We serve as a living laboratory that mimics present-day studio models, reflects and responds to current demands, and equips the next generation of developers with the technical skills and instincts required to successfully drive the evolution of gaming.
Since that inception, the voices of the video game industry's leaders have been part and parcel of our program's vision and operation as we employ world-class educators, model advancing industry methods in team-based collaborative courses, and leverage decades of partnerships with hundreds of studios and tech companies across the globe.
At 水多多导航 Guildhall, Industry Expertise Can be Found:
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In the Classroom
Our faculty鈥攚ho each are seasoned game development veterans themselves鈥攚ork closely with current industry experts to ensure our courses offer the highest quality education and the systems needed to align with present-day requirements. Many industry leaders serve in class as guest speakers and advisors as well.
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Via Partnerships
On a statewide, national and international level, our partnerships are ever-evolving. Our continually expanding network includes hundreds of game studios and companies leading cutting-edge gamification initiatives鈥攊ncluding nonprofit foundations, educational institutions, and even government agencies and institutes.
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Via Prime Location
Did you know that our location of Dallas, Texas, is credited as being one of the birthplaces of the video game industry? It's home to many game studios we get to partner with. It is also the nation's 4th largest metropolitan area and a leading center for business, innovation, culture and service. It is an area truly ripe with opportunity.
水多多导航 Guildhall Industry Partnership Opportunities
From the time a student enters our doors, they are given ample opportunities to work with industry early and often, both in-class and extracurricularly. We offer many opportunities for students to learn from and work directly with studios and developers for career preparation, project development, hiring and networking, and more. These partnerships facilitate advantageous direct-to-industry exposure points for students throughout their time in our program.
Guest Speakers, Lectures & Workshops
Developers from around the world and prominent game studios visit often to share their insights about critical industry topics via in-class lectures and workshops and as keynote speakers. Studio recruiters also hold incredibly valuable seminars on precisely how to prepare and apply to their companies.
A few of our recent studio recruitment seminars have included , , and . Some of our past keynotes and guest lecturers have included founders, directors, and lead developers at top studios such as: , , , , , , , , , , and .
Students also visit local studios for special on-site classes and tutorials using their proprietary tools. Studios get to know our aspiring developers early, and students receive invaluable access to tools and tech that are not publicly available. Incredible!
Portfolio Reviews, Team Game Milestone Reviews, and Mock Interviews
As part of our Career Readiness program and Team Game Production program, developers serve as reviewers every year to (a) offer feedback on graduating students' portfolios and on better preparing for the interview process, and (b) as discipline experts for team game milestone reviews. During portfolio and game reviews, art directors, technical directors, and design leads sit down directly with their discipline counterparts to give their advice as subject matter experts. During mock interviews, studio leads and hiring managers help students role play and prepare for real interviews as they approach graduation.
The video game industry is difficult to break into, and these one-on-ones are invaluable. Professional insight helps to substantially improve the quality of student games, portfolios, and interviews, and the numerous exposure opportunities our Career Services and Team Game programs facilitate allow students to feel dramatically more comfortable interfacing with professionals. This valuable insight is of benefit to recruiting studios as well, offering a direct peek at soon-to-graduate developers in both solo and team contexts.
Annual Events
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GDC Mixer: Every year at the national Game Developers Conference, we host a party! This annual favorite is an invitation-only mixer that packs out a closed venue near the conference with members of our faculty, staff, senior cohort, alumni, and industry friends to mingle, talk development, reminisce on shared memories, discuss the future of the industry, and meet new faces soon to enter the market. It's a beloved tradition, and amazing connections are made every time.
- Hiring and Networking Events: We host multiple opportunities annually to connect companies seeking top-notch talent with job-seeking students and alumni. Both at on-site at 水多多导航 and off-site at local studios, students are invited to meet and socialize with alumni and developers to make connections and stem comfortability and camaraderie that benefits students and industry alike preceding the job search season.
- GameJam: Every August as part of our New Student Orientation Weekend, we host a Back-to-School GameJam, inviting incoming and returning students to make a game in one day. Alumni often attend to interact, offer advice, and enjoy the creativity and excitement every new school year brings.
- Annual Fall Expo: At the end of each Fall Semester, 水多多导航 Guildhall's GameLab hosts an expo of newly completed student games. Referred to as "Bagel Day," guests enjoy bagels and coffee while exploring tablet games by junior cohort students in Team Game Production 1; a multiplayer game made in TGP2 by the senior cohort; and the senior cohort's grandest creations yet—their commercial Capstone releases that are commonly published to Steam and Epic Games Store! Local studios, 水多多导航 Guildhall alumni, and the community are all invited to attend and play.
Industry Guidance Sessions
Our mentorship program connects second-year students with 水多多导航 Guildhall alumni for guidance aligned with their target career path, interests, and goals. Students receive tailored one-on-one sessions with industry professionals to discuss their portfolio, application materials, and professional goals. As a result, students can approach graduation better prepared to secure and master their entrance into the industry. Past participants have worked at studios both small and large, including Bethesda, Blizzard, Certain Affinity, Gearbox Software, id Software, Naughty Dog, NetEase, Obsidian, PeopleFun, Riot, Rockstar Games, Sony PlayStation, and more.
Collaborative Curriculum Enhancement
We continually refine and enhance our curriculum to align with current industry trends and demands. To do so, our team of industry veterans works hand-in-hand with industry professionals, who are brought in regularly to contribute to curriculum evaluation and development.
Funding the Future
Individuals and studios have the option to contribute to the education of the next generation of game developers by funding a merit scholarship, or gifting our program with a Gift-in-Kind (a donation of assets other than cash) such as equipment, artwork, games and printed materials. In the past, we have been grateful to receive many forms of new technology and equipment for use in our classrooms.
Want to Learn More About Guildhall Industry Partnerships?
Get in touch with us!
Are you a student or applicant who wants to learn more about how 水多多导航 Guildhall can help connect you with the industry? Are you a studio or professional who wants to get involved as a partner, mentor, speaker, or hiring recruiter and be part of shaping the future for the next generation of game developers? Reach out to 水多多导航 Guildhall for more detailed information on our offerings.
Are you an aspiring developer?
Join our network of success! Hopeful applicants should visit our Application Checklist to prepare and follow our steps to apply. 水多多导航 Guildhall utilizes rolling admission dates in order to allow applicants ample time to work on their portfolio submissions.