ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Video Game Design Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Entertainment Fuse

Video Game Department Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$146K - $148K/yr

... internship basis; however, we not only offer review materials, access to conventions, and a better spotlight for your work, but we also provide great hands-on work experience in a highly competitive ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

An understanding of fundamental game design principles and player motivations * Experience writing and editing game rules and "how to play" video scripts * A basic understanding of graphic design, UX ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

An understanding of fundamental game design principles and player motivations * Experience writing and editing game rules and "how to play" video scripts * A basic understanding of graphic design, UX ...

Ten4

Front-end Developer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$127K - $148K/yr

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Work closely with UX Design and Game Design teams to define web features * Write and test ...

Ten4

Front-end Developer

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$127K - $148K/yr

Ten4 works with some of the best ad agencies, start-ups, production studios, and video game shops. * Work closely with UX Design and Game Design teams to define web features * Write and test ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsVideo Game Design JobsVideo Game Design Internship JobsVideo Game Design Internship Jobs in California

Video Game Design Internship information

What is a video game design internship?

A Video Game Design Internship is a temporary, often entry-level position that allows students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the video game industry. Interns typically assist with tasks such as creating game concepts, designing levels, playtesting, and collaborating with other team members like artists and programmers. This internship provides valuable exposure to the game development process and helps build a portfolio for future career opportunities.

What kinds of collaborative projects can I expect to work on during a video game design internship?

As a Video Game Design Intern, you’ll typically participate in collaborative projects that involve brainstorming game concepts, creating prototypes, and refining gameplay mechanics alongside designers, artists, and programmers. You may contribute to level design, assist in playtesting sessions, and provide feedback to improve user experience. This teamwork not only helps you build practical skills but also gives you insight into the full game development pipeline and how different roles interact to bring a game to life.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Design Intern, you need foundational knowledge in game design principles, creativity, and familiarity with programming or scripting languages, often supported by coursework or a related degree in game design or computer science. Experience with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or Adobe Creative Suite is highly valued, along with a portfolio showcasing relevant projects. Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills help interns collaborate effectively and adapt to feedback. These competencies ensure that interns can contribute meaningfully to game development projects and grow within the fast-paced, collaborative environment of a game studio.

What is the difference between Video Game Design Internship vs Video Game Development Internship?

AspectVideo Game Design InternshipVideo Game Development Internship
Required SkillsCreativity, game design principles, basic programming knowledgeProgramming, software development, technical skills
Work EnvironmentDesign teams, creative departments, collaborative settingsDevelopment teams, coding environments, technical departments
Industry UsageUsed by companies focusing on game concept and user experienceUsed by companies focusing on coding, engine development, and technical implementation

While both internships are part of the game industry, a Video Game Design Internship emphasizes creativity, story development, and user experience, whereas a Video Game Development Internship focuses on coding, software engineering, and technical implementation. Your choice depends on whether you prefer designing game concepts or building the technical foundation of games.

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

The most popular types of Video Game Design jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Video Game Design Internship jobs in California?

For Video Game Design Internship jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Video Game Design Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Video Game Design Internship jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Video Game Design Internship jobs?

Cities in California with the most Video Game Design Internship job openings:

Video Game Design Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Design Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Game Mechanics Designer

RTL2 Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG

Foster City, CA • On-site

$70 - $120/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Matrix is an early-stage (5 employees; pre-product; recently raised $3M from Galaxy, Samsung, Sam Altman, Dapper Labs, etc.) startup. Our first product gamifies fan engagement for creators and other digital brands. In the future, we’ll explore ownership, how creators can fully own their brand, and how fans can own the brands they consume. Matrix becomes a game in and of itself. We want our users to enjoy using Matrix just as much as League of Legends, Fortnite, or any other game. You must have deep experience with designing game mechanics, for video games or otherwise. You should understand key mechanic frameworks and how to apply it to something outside the realm of traditional gaming.

You are:
  • Interested in the creator/digital economy and building out new entertainment systems
  • Excited about crypto, the possibilities of decentralization, and the future of ownership
  • Happy to work in uncertainty and ambiguity while making decisions
  • Able to move and ship quickly, while iterating on prior products
  • Able to wear many hats and are very flexible. We are a small company, and need people to extend beyond their immediate job
  • Ideally a gamer and passionate about video games
You will:
  • Work closely with lead team to make our core product feel like a video game
  • Work on the gamification of our app and seek to turn the boring fun
  • Communicate game mechanics to designers to get them built out in our app
Qualifications:
  • Deep experience with game design
  • Ideally experience with designing quest-based systems and/or game economies
  • Familiarity with common video game language and paradigms, particularly those from free-to-play mobile games (e.g. "battle pass", "gacha")
  • Ideally US based, but we can potentially work remotely from anywhere
Benefits:
  • Healthcare insurance/stipend
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Gym stipend
  • Equipment stipend
  • Stock options
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply