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Internship Game Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This isn't a shadow-and-observe internship. You'll ship code that goes to customers - internal teams or external players and game developers - working closely with senior engineers and fellow interns ...

This isn't a shadow-and-observe internship. You'll ship code that goes to customers - internal teams or external players and game developers - working closely with senior engineers and fellow interns ...

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Internship Game Developer information

See California salary details

$11

$22

$38

How much do internship game developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship game developer in California is $22.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $23.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship game developer?

An Internship Game Developer job is a temporary position where aspiring game developers gain hands-on experience in the game development industry. Interns typically work with professional development teams, assisting in coding, game design, testing, or other creative aspects. They may use programming languages like C++ or Unity, contribute to gameplay mechanics, or help debug issues. This role allows interns to build a portfolio, expand their technical skills, and gain industry connections for future opportunities.

What types of projects or tasks can an internship game developer expect to work on?

As an Internship Game Developer, you may work on a variety of entry-level tasks such as prototyping gameplay features, fixing bugs, assisting with game testing, or creating assets under the supervision of experienced developers. Interns often rotate between tasks to gain exposure to different aspects of the game development process, including programming, design, and quality assurance. You will typically collaborate closely with other interns, full-time developers, artists, and designers, which helps build practical skills and understanding of team dynamics. This hands-on experience is designed to provide a well-rounded introduction to industry workflows and can help you build a strong professional portfolio for future career opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the internship game developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Game Developer, a strong foundation in programming languages (such as C++, C#, or Java), basic game design principles, and a relevant academic background are generally required. Familiarity with popular game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, as well as version control systems (e.g., Git), is highly valuable, although formal certifications are rarely mandatory at the internship level. Creativity, problem-solving, enthusiasm for collaborative teamwork, and a willingness to learn are standout soft skills in this position. These skills and qualities are important because they enable interns to contribute effectively to real development projects while adapting quickly to industry workflows.

Are there game developer internships?

Yes, many companies and studios offer game developer internships for students and entry-level candidates. These internships typically focus on programming, design, or art, and often require knowledge of game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. They provide hands-on experience and may be part-time or full-time during school breaks or summer periods.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Developer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Game Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Internship Game Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Internship Game Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Game Developer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 61% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,997 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

Software Engineer, Gameplay Combat - Unannounced Game

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$79 - $147/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Blizzard Entertainment rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 78 rated media


Job description

Job Description

At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations, only made possible by building a work environment that cultivates the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people. We are looking for a Gameplay Engineer, Combat to help create the next generation of gameplay experiences in an unannounced title. You will be responsible for developing combat experiences, character behaviors, navigation systems, and gameplay technologies that make combat gameplay fun. Alongside a talented team of engineers, designers and artists, you will build the foundations that power engaging, responsive, and immersive gameplay.

This role offers a hybrid work week, with a mix of work-from-home and on-site days, based out of our Irvine, CA location.

Responsibilities

This role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

  • Develop and maintain combat systems supporting interactions between players and NPCs, with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and maintainability.
  • Partner with encounter, character, and system designers to transform gameplay goals into robust technical solutions.
  • Collaborate with designers, artists, animators, and gameplay engineers to implement polished combat experiences.
  • Identify performance bottlenecks, technical risks, and implementation challenges while proposing practical solutions.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary and technical partners to diagnose issues and drive fixes to resolution.
Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in gameplay engineering or a combination of applicable training and related experience. Contributions on action focused combat systems, NPC AI, navigation, or gameplay features on at least one shipped title. Strong C++ programming skills, including performance analysis and optimization. Experience delivering high-quality features as part of a cross-functional team including designers, artists, animators, level designers, FX artists, etc.Bonus Points Experience working with Unreal Engine Experience and interest in character animation, navigation, combat or gameplay mechanics Experience and interest in combat gameplay Console development experience

Your Platform

At Blizzard Entertainment, we pour our hearts and souls into everything we create. Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, we've been creating genre-defining games for millions of players around the world for more than 30 years. We're on a quest: bring our dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Hard work, iteration, and polish go into the Blizzard "secret recipe," but the most important ingredients come from talented people who share our vision.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional, and financial well-being for Every World — we've got our employees covered.

Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.
  • Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.
  • You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $38.08 - $70.44 Hourly.

These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process.

In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Blizzard Entertainment® is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. After establishing the Blizzard Entertainment label in 1994, the company quickly became one of the most popular and well-respected makers of computer games. By focusing on creating well-designed, highly enjoyable entertainment experiences, Blizzard Entertainment has maintained an unparalleled reputation for quality since its inception.

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About Blizzard Entertainment

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader in the Digital Gaming industry, renowned for creating some of the world's most popular video games such as "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo." The company was founded in 1991 and is currently based in Irvine, California, USA. Aside from creating engaging video games, Blizzard Entertainment also develops and supports a wide range of software products within the realm of entertainment. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, an element that can be recognized in its vast array of legendary games. Notably, its creation, World of Warcraft, remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1991

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