Game Design Intern

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled undergraduate (junior or senior), graduate student or recent graduate (up to 6 months).

• Available 40 hours per week in-office in Los Angeles.

• 12 week duration

• Paid internship: $20/hr to $25/hr

We're looking for a passionate Game Design Intern to join our team for a 12-week paid internship. You'll work hands-on with our design team on two live titles, Good Pizza, Great Pizza and Good Coffee, Great Coffee contributing directly to the game designs, mechanics, and balance that shape the player experience. You'll be doing real design work, pitching ideas, and seeing your contributions make it into games played by millions. At the end of the 12 weeks, top-performing interns will be considered for a full-time Junior Game Designer role.

About TapBlaze

Our mission is to create memorable entertainment experiences for players around the world. Our vision is to become one of the world's leading entertainment companies. As a self-funded, independent studio, we only answer to our players - not investors, not publishers. Good Pizza, Great Pizza has been downloaded more than 300 million times, and we did it with a small, focused team.

Our core values drive everything we do:

• We are ambitious. We aim to build games that are remembered for decades.

• We are disciplined. We make deliberate, well-reasoned decisions.

• We are ownership-minded. If it's your area, you own it, the wins and the problems.

• We are results oriented. We measure success by what ships and what players experience.

• We are extra-ordinary. We hold ourselves to a higher standard than the industry expects of a studio our size.

We are seeking individuals that share these values and are looking to level up themselves, the games they work on, and the company they work for.

What You'll Do

• Prototype and pitch an original idea for a new feature, event, or content update.

• Collaborate with the design team to develop and iterate on a game mechanic, system, and/or content for Good Pizza, Great Pizza and Good Coffee, Great Coffee.

• Design, document, and balance in-game systems including recipes, progression, customer behaviors, and economy tuning.

• Create and maintain clear, detailed design documentation (feature specs, balance spreadsheets, flowcharts).

• Playtest builds and provide structured, actionable feedback on gameplay feel and balance.

• Analyze player data and feedback to identify balance issues and opportunities for improvement.

• Participate in design reviews, brainstorms, and team critiques.

What We're Looking For

• A genuine love of games and a curiosity about what makes them work. You think about why a mechanic is fun, not just that it's fun.

• Foundational understanding of game design principles: feedback loops, pacing, progression, player motivation, and economy design.

• Strong analytical skills, comfort with spreadsheets, numbers, and tuning variables to find the right balance.

• Clear written and verbal communication; ability to explain and defend design decisions.

• A collaborative mindset and openness to feedback

• Self-motivated with the ability to manage time and prioritize across multiple tasks.

• Great attention to details - you read the full job description.

Bonus Points

• Experience with game design tools (Unity, game engines, Claude, prototyping tools, or scripting).

• A portfolio, passion project, or game jam entry that showcases your design thinking.

• Familiarity with mobile/casual game design and free-to-play economies.

• Experience with or knowledge of cozy, simulation, restaurant, or management game genres.

• Background in data analysis or player behavior research.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience designing for live games with real player bases.

• Mentorship

• A deep understanding of mobile game design, balancing, and live operations.

• A clear pathway to a full-time Associate Game Designer position based on performance.

• A portfolio-worthy body of work from your contributions.

Physical Requirements

• Los Angeles, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work;

• Prolonged period of time sitting at a desk and computer.

Commitment to Diversity

As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce TAPBLAZE recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, and actively foster inclusion in all forms both within our company and across interactions with vendors and partners.

If this position caught your eye, send us your resume! For best consideration, include a cover letter in your application explaining why you would be a great fit.

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