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Game Designer Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ENGINEERING - GAMES ... programmers, designers, and artists. In this role, you will * Assist in prototyping and ...

Attain Sports

Merchandise Intern

Frederick, MD · On-site

College Credit The Merchandise Intern is a part-time internship designed only for current ... Work Frederick Keys home games and events as directed by the Merchandise Manager * Gain experience ...

Attain Sports

Merchandise Intern

Bowie, MD

The Merchandise Intern will gain valuable insight into retail operations, fan engagement, and ... game-day environment Additional Information This is an unpaid internship opportunity designed to ...

Attain Sports

Grounds Intern

Frederick, MD · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

College Credit The Frederick Keys Grounds Intern is a part-time internship designed only for ... Prepare stadium for game day including, but not limited to, wiping down counter tops, checking ...

Attain Sports

Merchandise Intern

Bowie, MD · On-site

The Merchandise Intern will gain valuable insight into retail operations, fan engagement, and ... game-day environment Additional Information This is an unpaid internship opportunity designed to ...

Attain Sports

Merchandise Intern

Frederick, MD · On-site

College Credit The Merchandise Intern is a part-time internship designed only for current ... Work Frederick Keys home games and events as directed by the Merchandise Manager * Gain experience ...

Boyd Gaming

HOSPITALITY INTERN (SEASONAL)

Florence, IN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Company Description Boyd Gaming Corporation has been successful in gaming jurisdiction in which we ... The Hospitality Internship program at Belterra Casino Resort is a career development role designed ...

Boyd Gaming

HOSPITALITY INTERN (SEASONAL)

Florence, IN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Company Description Boyd Gaming Corporation has been successful in gaming jurisdiction in which we ... The Hospitality Internship program at Belterra Casino Resort is a career development role designed ...

Attain Sports

Grounds Intern

Frederick, MD · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

College Credit The Frederick Keys Grounds Intern is a part-time internship designed only for ... Prepare stadium for game day including, but not limited to, wiping down counter tops, checking ...

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Game Designer Intern information

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How much do game designer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for game designer intern in the United States is $19.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a game designer intern do?

A Game Designer Intern assists in the creation and development of video games by contributing ideas, designing game mechanics, and helping with documentation. They often work closely with senior designers and other team members to prototype levels, balance gameplay elements, and test features. Interns also learn about the game development process, receive feedback, and may participate in brainstorming sessions or playtesting. The role is ideal for those looking to start a career in game development and gain hands-on experience in a collaborative environment.

What does a game designer intern do?

In a game designer intern role, you gain experience with designing video games as a student enrolled in a relevant college degree program. Your internship duties are to shadow your mentor as they teach you the responsibilities and skills game designers need to design and implement a vision into a working video game. You work with gaming clients under the oversight of your mentor to learn more about following client needs and goals to create their games. These positions are temporary, with design companies usually offering them over the summer months. Many companies pay their interns a salary throughout their internship, but some companies only provide unpaid positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer Intern, you need a solid grasp of game design principles, storytelling, and basic programming or scripting knowledge, often supported by coursework in game development or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and prototyping software, as well as version control systems, is highly valued. Creativity, teamwork, and strong communication skills help you effectively contribute ideas and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills are essential for translating concepts into engaging gameplay experiences and collaborating efficiently in a dynamic development environment.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a game designer intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Game Designer Intern, you can expect to contribute to various stages of the game development process, from brainstorming and prototyping new gameplay mechanics to assisting with level design and playtesting. Interns often collaborate closely with artists, programmers, and senior designers, gaining hands-on experience in refining game systems and balancing gameplay. You'll likely attend team meetings, provide feedback on in-development features, and help document design decisions. This role offers a valuable opportunity to learn industry best practices while building a portfolio of real-world projects.

What is the difference between Game Designer Intern vs Game Artist Intern?

AspectGame Designer InternGame Artist Intern
Required SkillsGame design principles, creativity, basic programmingArt skills, graphic design, 2D/3D modeling
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, game development studiosArt departments, visual development teams
Common Industry UsageUsed in game development companies focusing on gameplay and mechanicsUsed in studios focusing on visual assets and art creation

Game Designer Interns focus on creating gameplay mechanics, storylines, and user experience, while Game Artist Interns concentrate on visual assets, character design, and environment art. Both roles are essential in game development but serve different creative functions within the industry.

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Game Designer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Designer Intern job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,304 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

Internship

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ENGINEERING - GAMES
What We Do
Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We're always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.
GAMEPLAY PROGRAMMER INTERN
What You'll Do
We are taking LEGO Fortnite to the next level with continuous live improvements and additions. As a Gameplay Programmer Intern, you will contribute to the development of core gameplay features for our updates and get hands-on experience working alongside other programmers, designers, and artists.
In this role, you will
  • Assist in prototyping and implementing gameplay features in collaboration with art and design
  • Help debug, test, and fix bugs in gameplay systems
  • Learn to write clean, maintainable C++ code in Unreal Engine
  • Participate in team discussions, offering ideas and feedback
What we're looking for
  • Strong C++ knowledge
  • Interest in gameplay programming
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Passion for learning things and delivering results
  • Great interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate within a team
  • The ability to react and respond effectively to constructive feedback

This internship has a flexible start date in 2027. Recruitment will be ongoing until teams find an ideal match. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the posting location for the duration of the internship. For more information about Epic's Early Career Program, visit epicgames.com/earlycareers. This is going to be Epic!
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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