Internship Opportunities: Gameplay Engineer

Rare is an Xbox Game Studio creating the kind of games the world doesn’t have. Our values – explorers, evolving, together – are fundamental to the games we make and how we make them. Rare offers rewarding and fulfilling careers for exceptional people, supporting you to learn and grow. Our studio is a welcoming campus in the heart of the Midlands, where the majority of our team work in a flexible hybrid work pattern. 

Could you be our next Gameplay Engineering Intern? We’re looking for applicants with a growth mindset and who aren’t afraid to get involved in areas they know little about first-hand. As an intern in our gameplay department, you can expect to have a diverse experience working between many different areas of game development.  

It all begins with your onboarding, where you'll join an established team working alongside industry experts. Throughout the placement your learning and development won't stop, and you will receive on-the-job coaching, mentoring and personal development from colleagues. As a valued part of the team, we'll expect you to give your insights and opinions and make a real contribution to our business!  

Required Qualifications

• A good understanding or passion for computer programming and software creation. 
• Some hands-on experience or projects where you've applied your programming skills. 
• Familiarity with one or more of these languages: C, C++, or C#. 
• You must be legally authorised (have citizenship or a valid visa/work permit) to work in the UK for this position. (Legally authorised = Has citizenship or has been granted a valid visa or work permit).
• Relocation expenses are not provided as part of this role - please be aware that this role will be based at Rare Studio, Twycross, Leicestershire, CV9 3QN and the successful applicant will be required to work on-site to get the best out of their 12-month internship.

Please note, you don't need to have experience in video game development or be studying it specifically. Also, you don't need any formal diplomas or degrees to apply. We value your skills and enthusiasm. 

Preferred Qualifications

• A managed, object-oriented language (e.g., C#, Java). 
• A scripting language (e.g., Python, Perl, Powershell). 
• Automated Testing (e.g., Google Test Framework). 
• Working within a team. 
• Experience with commercial game engines like Unreal Engine, Unity or Godot. 
• Web service development/Cloud deployment. 
• Contribution to an open-source community. 
• Rendering or computer graphics experience (e.g., DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan). 
• A background in mathematics, physics, or a subject with similar mathematical underpinnings. 

How to apply

Please include a copy of your CV with a cover letter and portfolio. We realise that your portfolio may be a work in progress and that’s fine, it’s your potential that will catch our eye. Here are some things you can do to help your portfolio stand out:  

• Include things you are genuinely proud of – this is your chance to show off so please make the content easily accessible. 
• Demonstrates why you want to work for our team at Rare. We’re a creative lot so it doesn’t have to be a letter, it could be a video, comic, or even a game! 

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

Gameplay Engineers can expect to work on many aspects of game creation, whether it's networked gameplay, artificial intelligence, or user interfaces. Flexibility and the desire to give things a try is crucial. You may work in prototyping environments or on games that are already in production. Player feedback is closely tied to gameplay engineering, and you’ll get to see players directly interacting with the features you’ll develop!  

Past interns in the Gameplay Team at Rare have:  

• Added new AI abilities and behaviours.
• Implemented vital accessibility features for our players.
• Created new interactable player items.
• Developed new environmental threats. 
• Supported technical design to deliver new story quests.

What you might get up to:  

• Originate, implement, and iterate on game features in conjunction with other Engineers, Designers, Artists and Testers.  
• Identify and surface risks in the areas that are being worked on.  
• Solve problems through the application of sound engineering practice.  
• Continuously work to minimise technical debt and maintenance hazards.