Game Design Intern at TapBlaze in Los Angeles, CA

Summary: TapBlaze is an independent studio aiming to create memorable entertainment experiences for players around the world. They are seeking 2–3 passionate Game Design Interns to work hands-on with their design team on live titles, contributing directly to game designs, mechanics, and balance. Responsibilities: - 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 Required Qualifications: - 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 - 10 week duration - 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 Preferred Qualifications: - 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 Required Skills: Game design principles, Analytical skills, Game design tools Important Skills: Attention to details Nice-to-Have Skills: mobile games, Background in data analysis, Collaborative mindset, Self-motivated Benefits: Mentorship, A clear pathway to a full-time Associate Game Designer position based on performance., A portfolio-worthy body of work from your contributions.