The University of Texas at Austin is leveling up its commitment to the future of digital entertainment with the launch of the Karch Gaming Institute, housed within the Moody College of Communication. Thanks to a generous $5 million gift from Matt Karch—CEO of global game developer Saber Interactive—the institute will serve as a new hub for education and innovation in the booming video game industry.
Set against the backdrop of Austin’s thriving tech and gaming ecosystem, the Karch Gaming Institute is designed to prepare students for a dynamic career in game development, production, and distribution. With video games generating over $100 billion in U.S. economic impact in 2024 and supporting nearly 350,000 jobs, the new program arrives at a critical time.
“At Moody College, we are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our students and the industries they aspire to work in,” said Anita Vangelisti, interim dean of Moody College. “This institute aligns perfectly with our strengths in new media and film, while also offering valuable hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities.”
The curriculum will provide a unique blend of storytelling, ethics, business strategy, and technical know-how. In fall 2025, students from across UT Austin will have access to two groundbreaking courses: “Business of Gaming: From Concept to Console” and “Gaming Usability Lab Fundamentals.” The first course will explore the full lifecycle of game development, featuring industry guest speakers and hands-on pitching exercises. The second will give students real-world insight into usability testing, including access to an unreleased video game.
The institute represents a multidisciplinary partnership between Moody College, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Natural Sciences. Faculty from these departments will guide students through a curriculum that not only teaches core skills but also fosters a broader understanding of the game industry’s global impact.
Matt Karch, reflecting on his 25 years in the gaming business, emphasized the importance of this educational step: “The industry has grown at an unprecedented rate, but education hasn’t kept up—until now. UT Austin is the ideal place to build the world’s leading game education program.”
Looking ahead, Moody College plans to expand the institute’s offerings and establish a minor focused on the business and production of digital games. This initiative is poised to set a new standard for game education nationwide.
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