Game Designer Intern - Summer 2027 (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts Ltd; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Electronic Arts seeks a Game Designer Intern to join the Apex Legends Arcade design team, focusing on Modes. You will help prototype LTMs, script gameplay, and balance systems for a large player base.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Designers to refine mode logic, tune parameters, and ensure engaging, balanced experiences across iterations and live updates.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in college and returning after internship.
• Portfolio showing gameplay work and modular systems.
• Familiar with FPS and Battle Royale concepts.

Responsibilities

• Prototype Limited Time Modes (LTMs) and seasonal events.
• Scripting mode logic, adjust parameters, loot distributions, zone configs.
• Monitor live telemetry and balance mode performance.
• Playtest, collect feedback, identify scripting edge cases.
• Assist in quality-of-life improvements with Arcade Design Director.

Skills

FPS design

Balance tuning

Prototype design

Playtesting

Telemetry analysis

Education

Enrollment in college program (CS / Game Design) with intent to return after internship

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

C++

C#

Python

Blueprints

Job description

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Founded in 2010, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they’ll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected.

Respawn Entertainment is the Academy Award-winning studio behind critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Star WarsTM Jedi: Fallen Order, Star WarsTM Jedi: Survivor, and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond. As a collective of creative developers, we have launched some of the industry’s most critically and commercially successful games. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide.

Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.

We are seeking a Game Designer Intern to join the Apex Legends Arcade design team, specifically focused on Modes . In this role, you will work directly within our multiplayer framework to assist in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of systems that keep our game fresh, engaging, and balanced for millions of active players.

What You’ll Do

• LTM Prototyping: Assist in the conceptual loop and rapid prototyping of Limited Time Modes (LTMs), seasonal events, and creative sandbox changes.
• Gameplay Scripting: Utilize scripting languages and game engine tools to hook up mode specific logic, tweak ability or weapon parameters, construct loot-table distributions, and handle zone configurations.
• Systems Balancing: Work closely with other Designers to monitor, review, and fine-tune live telemetry (Loot, Ring Pacing, Mode performance) to make strategic adjustments and improve the experience.
• Playtesting & Validation: Accumulate and synthesize qualitative game mode feedback and identify critical scripting edge‑case bugs.
• Quality of Life: Assist in identifying quality of life opportunities across all Arcade experiences, working with the Arcade Design Director and Lead Designers to prioritize and implement high value changes.

What We Look For

• Student Requirements: You must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program (Computer Science, Game Design, or equivalent quantitative/creative track) and return to your studies upon completion of the internship.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience using commercial game engine pipelines (such as Unreal Engine or Unity) paired with functional programming or scripting experience (C++, C#, Blueprints, or Python).
• Design Portfolio: A comprehensive online portfolio demonstrating functional gameplay work. We look for tangible examples of systemic mechanics you have built, balance maps, or custom multiplayer scripts (e.g., custom mod frameworks, Overwatch Workshop setups, Fortnite Creative game rules, or standalone logic prototypes).
• Genre Familiarity: Intense tactical knowledge of the First‑Person Shooter (FPS) and Battle Royale landscapes, with an analytical perspective on what makes gunplay, hero configurations, and squad mechanics function smoothly.

Bonus Points

• Experience analyzing foundational mathematical odds, drop matrices, or variance curves.
• Familiarity working with multiplayer networking constraints or client/server replication loops.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well‑being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.