Game Development Intern - Remote

At Zoo Media, we design interactive experiences that help young creators learn, explore, and build real‑world skills through play. Our games blend storytelling, simulation, creativity, and hands‑on discovery—empowering students to practice decision‑making, develop confidence, and engage with meaningful digital worlds.

As a Game Designer Intern, you’ll help shape the mechanics, systems, and player journeys that make these experiences come alive. You’ll collaborate across disciplines to design games that are intuitive, purposeful, and fun—whether you’re building creative learning tools, simulation‑style challenges, or youth‑centered competitive formats.

Apply Now

What You’ll Do

You’ll help design the core experiences that guide and motivate young players by:

• Creating engaging gameplay mechanics, progression systems, and player experiences from concept to prototype
• Collaborating with writers, artists, programmers, and sound designers to build cohesive, immersive games
• Designing systems for creative learning, simulation‑based experiences, and youth‑focused competitive play
• Crafting intuitive user flows, feedback loops, and challenge‑reward structures that support learning and exploration
• Adapting gameplay for browser‑based platforms and small‑footprint simulators
• Prototyping ideas, testing with users, and iterating based on feedback, accessibility needs, and learning outcomes

You’ll Learn To

• Apply game design principles to educational, creative, and simulation‑style environments
• Work within production pipelines using Unity, Unreal Engine, and other development tools
• Collaborate in an agile, fast‑paced environment focused on youth innovation and digital learning
• Contribute to national creative learning initiatives and youth‑centered competitive game formats
• Build a polished portfolio with real contributions to interactive learning and creative media projects

Requirements

• Strong interest in game design for education, creative learning, or youth‑centered interactive media
• Understanding of gameplay loops, player psychology, and foundational level design concepts
• Student‑level proficiency in Unity, Unreal, or similar engines
• Strong collaboration skills and a self‑driven, creative mindset
• Availability for virtual meetings:
  • Mondays @ 9:00 AM MST
  • Wednesdays @ 10:00 AM MST
  • Fridays @ 8:00 AM MST
  • (Thursdays @ 9:00 AM MST for SkillBridge participants)

Bonus Skills (Not Required, But Helpful)

• Storyboarding, scripting, or narrative design experience
• Basic coding skills (C#, Python, or visual scripting)
• Familiarity with youth esports, competitive gaming, or creative learning platforms
• Understanding of simulator hardware or UI/UX constraints

Perks & Opportunities

• Design games that help young people learn, explore careers, and build real‑world skills
• Contribute to youth‑centered creative programs and competitive digital experiences
• Collaborate with developers, designers, and media strategists across disciplines
• Earn mentorship, portfolio‑ready project documentation, and eligibility for a paid apprenticeship
• Receive a certificate of completion and professional recommendation based on performance

Help shape the next generation of creative, educational, and interactive experiences.

Apply now to become a Game Designer Intern at Zoo Media.