Technical Game Design Intern, 2XKO - Summer 2026 (Remote)

All Game Designers at Riot have a base set of skills: you design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. 

As a Technical Game Design Intern on 2XKO, you will work extensively in technical problem spaces, building tools and systems that unlock themselves and other game designers, and also own key gameplay designs.

Responsibilities:

• Work on gameplay projects like events, onboarding, and new mode prototypes
• Collaborate with designers and engineers to build tools that make it faster to implement, balance, and iterate on new content
• Contribute to technical and design work that will help keep the fights fresh, the systems sharp, and the experience exciting for every player

Required Qualifications:

• Graduating in the 2025 or 2026 academic year studying Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology related field
• Completed courses or related work experience involving data structures and algorithms
• Coding experience using C++ and Blueprints in Unreal Engine
• Deep gameplay experience with 2XKO or other modern 2D fighting games
• Experience collaborating through testing, tuning, and partnering with designers, engineers, and artists
• Available to work full-time hours for the 12 week internship duration
• Eligible to work in the country that you reside in during this remote program
• Minimum GPA of 3.0

Desired Qualifications:

• Unreal Engine experience, specifically with combat systems like hitboxes, frame data, or input logic
• Experience working in data-driven setups such as spreadsheets, scripts, config tables
• Experience reading, modifying, and improving code or Blueprints built by others
• Demonstrated understanding of animation timing, hit impact, and incorporating player feedback
• Demonstrated experience creating a prototype, mod, or school project that shows your design and implementation experience
• Experience playing tag fighters at a competitive level

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise, a collaborative spirit, and decision-making that prioritizes the delight of players. We will be looking at your past studies, experience, and your personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about the experiences of players, this could be the role for you!

Applications close Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 11:59pm PT 

Our Perks:

Riot Internships are paid, and interns can also participate in our 401(k) plan. You can expect in-game perks, and the ability to participate in our Play Fund, so you can broaden and deepen your knowledge of our players and community through games. The University Programs team also invites you to intern focused events so you can connect with your fellow interns and Rioters to make the most out of your experience.

Riot Games fosters a player and workplace experience that values teamwork embodied by the Summoner's Code and Community Code. Our culture embraces differences as a strength, and our values are the guiding principles for how we approach work. We are committed to putting diversity and inclusion (D&I) at the center of everything we do and promoting a fair and collaborative culture where Rioters treat one another with dignity and respect. We encourage you to read more about our value of thriving together and our ongoing work to build the most inclusive company in Gaming.

(Remote Only) The hourly rate for this internship is USD $43.51