Unpaid Internships
At Norfic Games, we recommend that individuals prioritize seeking paid internships whenever possible. While not every internship leads to a full-time position, paid opportunities often provide a clearer path to long-term career stability. While many students may not transition directly into a paid game development or game art career, a paid internship typically offers valuable experience that can serve as a solid foundation for future career growth. At Norfic Games, we recognize that while unpaid internships in game development may not offer immediate financial compensation, they can provide valuable opportunities for growth. These internships allow individuals to gain hands-on experience, start building a portfolio, and develop industry-specific skills that can enhance future career prospects. For those passionate about game development, an unpaid internship can also serve as a stepping stone toward paid opportunities. Our internships are unpaid, typically lasting 15 weeks with a 30-hour work week on-site in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Interns will be involved in tasks such as refactoring, game balance, optimization, and adding new features and content to a product that has just moved beyond the Alpha stage. The internship includes four planned milestones, with three of those milestones offering performance-based bonuses for meeting or exceeding expectations, along with the potential for profit sharing upon the game’s release, as well as in-game and website game credits.Game Development Unpaid Intern
Job Description: Game Development Unpaid Intern(Unity/C#)
Position Overview:
We are seeking enthusiastic and talented college interns to join our game development team for a 2D game currently in development. This internship offers hands-on experience in creating engaging gameplay experiences using Unity and C#. You will work closely with our team on various aspects of the game's development, including refactoring code, balancing gameplay, scaling items and levels, and collaborating with the team via Trello.
Key Responsibilities:
- Game Development: Use Unity and C# to implement, refine, and optimize game mechanics, features, and systems for a 2D game.
- Code Refactoring: Review and improve existing code to enhance performance, maintainability, and scalability.
- Gameplay Balancing: Analyze and adjust gameplay elements, including item properties, character abilities, and progression systems, to ensure a fun and balanced experience for players.
- Level and Item Scaling: Develop and implement scalable systems for item and level progression that align with game design objectives.
- Collaboration: Use Trello to track progress, manage tasks, and communicate effectively with the development team.
- Testing and Feedback: Playtest features and provide feedback to improve player experience and game quality.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Game Development, or a related field.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in C# and Unity game engine.
- Understanding of 2D game development concepts and methodologies.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and resolve technical challenges in game development.
- Attention to Detail: Keen eye for identifying inconsistencies and opportunities for improvement in game mechanics and systems.
- Team Collaboration: Strong communication skills and experience working with task management tools like Trello.
- Passion for Games: Enthusiasm for game design and development with a creative mindset and commitment to delivering high-quality experiences.
What You’ll Gain:
- Real-world experience in game development using industry-standard tools and practices.
- Mentorship from experienced developers and opportunities to contribute creatively to a live project.
- Exposure to the full development lifecycle of a 2D game.
- Portfolio-worthy work showcasing your technical and creative skills.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resume, a brief cover letter, an unofficial transcript, and examples of previous projects (if available) showcasing their skills in Unity and C#.
Join us to turn your passion for gaming into impactful experiences for players worldwide!
2D Game Artist Intern
Job Description: 2D Game Artist Intern (Unity/Illustrator/Photoshop)
Position Overview:
We are looking for creative and detail-oriented college interns to join our game development team as 2D Game Artists. This role offers hands-on experience contributing to a 2D game currently in development. As an intern, you will collaborate with designers and developers to create and refine artwork using tools like Unity, Illustrator, Photoshop, Aseprite, and SpriteMancer. A key part of this role will involve designing new art assets that align with the current art style of the game, ensuring a cohesive and engaging visual experience for players.
Key Responsibilities:
- Asset Creation: Design, illustrate, and animate high-quality 2D assets, including characters, environments, UI elements, and effects.
- Maintaining Art Style: Create new assets that fit seamlessly with the existing art style of the game, ensuring visual consistency across all elements.
- Tool Integration: Import and manage assets in Unity to ensure they function seamlessly in the game.
- Animation: Develop sprite animations using tools like Aseprite and Unity, ensuring smooth transitions and interactions.
- Art Refinement: Use SpriteMancer to optimize and polish assets for visual consistency and performance.
- Collaborative Development: Work with the development team to ensure assets align with gameplay mechanics and design goals.
- Feedback and Iteration: Incorporate team feedback into revisions to maintain quality and meet artistic objectives.
- Documentation: Maintain organized files and clear naming conventions to streamline asset management.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: Currently pursuing a degree in Game Art, Digital Media, or a related field.
- Artistic Skills:
- Proficiency in 2D art tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Aseprite.
- Strong understanding of color theory, composition, and visual storytelling.
- Experience creating pixel art and vector-based designs.
- Ability to analyze and replicate an existing art style to create cohesive assets.
- Technical Skills:
- Familiarity with Unity for importing and managing assets.
- Knowledge of SpriteMancer or similar tools for asset optimization is a plus.
- Creativity and Vision: Ability to conceptualize and design visually appealing assets that enhance the game’s aesthetic.
- Team Collaboration: Strong communication skills and experience working in a collaborative environment.
- Passion for Games: Enthusiasm for creating memorable and engaging visuals for players.
What You’ll Gain:
- Real-world experience designing assets for a live 2D game project.
- Mentorship from experienced artists and developers.
- Exposure to the full creative process, from concept to implementation.
- Portfolio-ready artwork showcasing your contributions to a game.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resume, a brief cover letter, and a portfolio showcasing examples of 2D artwork, animations, or game assets that demonstrate your ability to create within a cohesive art style.
Join us in bringing stunning visuals to life and crafting a compelling world for players to explore!