We're no longer accepting applications for 2013, but it's not too early to start thinking about 2014. If you're an ambitious undergrad or grad student who shares our passion for games (especially League of Legends) and are eager to get into scrapes with challenging work, think about spending your summer with us.
Interns will join a specific team at Riot. Each hosting team will supply its interns with meaty projects, honest mentorship and lots of opportunity to get to know Riot Games overall. Interns will playtest new champions and features, gain first-hand experience serving on the front lines of player support, attend leadership seminars and industry education via Riot U, and enjoy events with the rest of Riot including Show and Tell, Riot Rumble, LoL skills training and early new movie screenings.
Read on for info on available internships, deets on how to apply and answers to frequently asked questions.
HOW TO APPLY:
The application deadline for summer 2013 internships has passed, but stay tuned to this page for openings next year.
Internship FAQ:
Q: What qualifications do I need?
A: There’s no specific set of qualifications and we hate to be prescriptive because we're looking for people who carve their own tracks. An application checklist would attract the wrong sort of intern. We look for smart, talented students who’ve accomplished awesome things outside of their studies. Here are just a few examples of stuff previous Riot interns have done prior to joining Riot:
- Led esports teams to victory in major League of Legends tournaments
- Demonstrated mastery of critical technologies we use (e.g., Hadoop, Drupal, Scaleform, Adobe Air)
- Created artwork that blows minds and wins competitions
- Started a software development company and shipped a product
- Suggested champions or game improvements that wound up in-game
Q: I’m not currently enrolled in school. Can I apply?
A: Unfortunately, no. To qualify for an internship, you must be a full-time student enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. We give preference to students looking for internships during the summer before their final year.
Q: Where are internships located? Can I work from home?
A: Santa Monica’s the center of Riot's game development and publishing operations, so that's where we've got the most opportunities for interns this year. As Riot's outposts in Dublin, Istanbul, São Paulo, Seoul and Moscow grow, we’ll likely offer a few internships in those regions. To get the real Riot experience you’ve got to be close enough to fist-bump, so there’s no working from home.
Q: Can I intern in a country different from my home country?
A: We’re unable to provide work visas for interns, so you must be eligible to work in the country of the Riot office where you’re applying.
Q: Bam! I just applied. Now what?
A: If your application collects sufficient kudos, we’ll be in touch within four weeks to set up some phone conversations. During these calls, we’ll want to learn more about your interests, expertise, what you want to learn from us and what we can learn from you. If we really like you, we’ll invite you to Riot’s offices for a final round of interviews and to meet the team. We know it takes a lot of work to apply, so we’ll respond to all applicants, even if it’s bad news, within a month.
Q: Who foots the bill for the interview process?
A: If you’re invited to interview, Riot covers flights, accommodations, food and transportation.
Q: Am I old enough to apply?
A: Internship candidates must be old enough to legally work where the Riot office is located. While Rioters like to challenge convention, we don’t want to mess with the people who enforce child labor laws. For Santa Monica and St. Louis, this means you have to be at least 18 (remember that you must also be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program as well). Age requirements vary by country, state and sometimes even job type. Check with the government entities that govern labor in your part of the world to see if you’re legal.
Q: I'm in high school. What can I do now to secure an internship once I'm in college?
A: Way to plan ahead. Basically, find stuff you love to do and create something awesome out of that passion. We're impressed by the numerous teens and tweens who are shipping games for the web and mobile devices, including a 14-year-old who shipped an iPhone game that hit number one in Apple's App Store. Others contribute to open source software development projects or create mods or custom maps for games they love. Some express passion through amazing machinima creations, blogging prowess, or by building immensely popular fansites. We're looking for people who've already demonstrated spark and initiative – so find something you're passionate about and go for it.
Q: I don’t think I have the qualifications. Can I volunteer instead?
A: We don’t offer unpaid internships, but there are some ways to get involved with the Riot and League of Legends community outside of a formal internship. The forums are a great place to start. Submit champion feedback, bug reports, audio feedback or theorycraft play strategies. A history of significant contributions to the community might make a great addition to your future application for a paid internship.
Q: Does Riot provide housing for interns?
A: No, but as an intern, you’ll be paid enough to afford housing near the office and have enough dough left over to afford a balanced diet and a little fun, too. We also reimburse travel expenses and provide resources to help you find housing once you get here.
Q: How long does an internship last?
A: Summer internships last between 10 and 12 weeks. In Santa Monica and St. Louis that's about the length of a typical student's summer break. Longer internships are possible, but shorter ones aren't because it's hard to imagine getting up to speed and contributing in a major way in fewer than 10 weeks.
Q: What are the hours like?
A: Interns should expect to work hard and play hard. This probably means you'll log around 60 hours per week in addition to all the fun stuff we've got planned for interns.
Q: Do I need to be a high-Elo League of Legends player?
A: No, but you’ve gotta be a player. We can only accomplish our goal of being the most player-focused company in the world if each of us takes play seriously – and that means being players ourselves. We won’t make you beat Wickd or Dyrus in top lane to demonstrate your skills, but we'll ask you to prove your commitment to the game by having at least a level 12 summoner. Certain teams may require more highly-skilled players.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Head to our LinkedIn internships thread and we'll try to answer your questions there. You can also learn more about one intern’s experience by checking out “A Day in the Life of an Intern.”