As a Quest Design Intern at CD PROJEKT RED, you will bridge the gap between narrative vision and technical execution. Working within the acclaimed RED Summer Internship program, you will learn to implement complex story beats directly into the game engine. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the player’s journey while collaborating with world-class designers in a professional environment.Internship Overview
Internship Overview: Quest Design Intern
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | CD PROJEKT RED |
| Job Title | Quest Design Intern |
| Project | RED Summer Internship (2026) |
| Location | Warsaw, Poland (Hybrid / Office-First) |
| Employment Type | Internship (Contract of Mandate) |
| Duration | July – September (3 Months) |
| Salary / Rate | 31.40 PLN Gross / Hour |
CD PROJEKT RED isn’t just a studio; it’s a storyteller’s hub. Their mission—creating revolutionary, story-driven RPGs—is baked into every department. As an intern, you aren’t just a shadow; you are a contributor. The studio prides itself on an international atmosphere where “behind-the-scenes” is where the real growth happens. Whether you’ve spent years in the swamps of Velen or the neon-soaked streets of Night City, this internship is designed to turn your player intuition into developer expertise.
As a Quest Design Intern, your day-to-day is a mix of high-level creative brainstorming and granular technical implementation. You aren’t just writing “cool ideas”; you are building them.
- Narrative Construction: Designing full, cohesive story beats that fit the tone and lore of the studio’s massive worlds.
- Documentation: Creating professional design documents that serve as the blueprint for quests, detailing player choices, dialogue branches, and objective triggers.
- Engine Implementation: This is a hands-on technical role. You will work within the game editor to bring your designs to life, setting up triggers, NPC behaviors, and quest flows.
- Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Quest design is the glue of an RPG. You will work closely with:
- Gameplay Designers to ensure mechanics feel good during a quest.
- Cinematic Designers to transition between gameplay and story moments.
- QA (Quality Assurance) to identify and fix the inevitable bugs that arise in complex branching narratives.
- Content Refinement: Participating in playtests and review sessions, iterating on your work based on feedback to ensure the content meets the “RED” standard of quality.
CD PROJEKT RED has specific legal and logistical requirements for the RED Summer Internship program. Please ensure you meet all of the following before applying:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old at the start of the internship.
- Academic Status: You must be a current university student or a very recent high school graduate.
- Residency: You must be physically residing in Poland throughout the duration of the program (July through September).
- Availability: This is a full-time commitment (40 hours per week). Candidates must be available for the entire three-month window.
- Language: A high level of proficiency in English is required, as it is the primary language of the studio’s documentation and international communication.
The ideal candidate is someone who understands that a great quest isn’t just a “fetch quest”—it’s an emotional journey.
Required Competencies
- Storytelling Passion: You don’t just like stories; you understand why they work. You have an affinity for character arcs, pacing, and theme.
- Non-Linear Thinking: CDPR is famous for choice and consequence. You should be interested in how player decisions can ripple through a game world in unconventional ways.
- Iterative Mindset: You must be comfortable with “killing your darlings.” In gamedev, your first idea is rarely the final one. You must thrive in short iteration cycles and be open to direct, constructive feedback.
- Proactive Creativity: The ability to look at a technical constraint and find a creative, “out-of-the-box” narrative solution.
The “Nice to Have” Edge
If you want your application to stand out, the following skills are highly valued:
- Deep Lore Knowledge: Extensive familiarity with The Witcher or Cyberpunk 2077 universes.
- Editor Experience: Previous experience with game engines (Unity, Unreal) or modding tools. Specific experience with REDkit is a massive advantage.
- Pitching Skills: The ability to clearly and persuasively present a concept to a room full of people.
- Portfolio: Submitting a portfolio that showcases your narrative design or quest flowcharts is highly recommended.
While the role is listed as hybrid, the studio operates on an office-first philosophy.
- Hybrid Structure: Expect to be in the Warsaw office at least 3 days per week.
- Flexible Hours: The “core hours” system allows you to start your day anytime between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
- Financials: The internship is fully paid. At 31.40 PLN gross per hour, a standard 160-hour month equates to approximately 5,024.00 PLN gross.
CD PROJEKT RED provides an environment that supports both productivity and well-being:
- Dog-Friendly: The studio is home to many furry “colleagues.” You are welcome to bring your dog to work.
- Wellness & Fitness: There is an onsite, well-equipped gym featuring a climbing wall. Daily support from a Gym Assistant is available, alongside yoga and boxing classes.
- Commuter Support: For those cycling to work, the campus provides designated bike spaces, repair equipment, and showers. For electric vehicle users, charging points are available.
- Community: Regular social events, canteens with healthy selections, and a “no dress-code” policy (casual attire) ensure a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.
- Welcome Pack: Every intern is greeted with a “goodie pack” to help them integrate into the team from day one.
To be considered for this prestigious program, your application must be meticulous. Ensure you include:
- English CV: Ensure it highlights any creative projects, game jams, or community initiatives.
- Cover Letter: This is mandatory. Explain why you are a quest designer. Don’t just list skills; tell your story.
- Portfolio (Highly Recommended): Show, don’t just tell. Include quest flowcharts, narrative scripts, or videos of levels you have built in modding tools.
Final Note
CD PROJEKT RED maintains high ethical standards. If any irregularities are observed during the recruitment process, an anonymous reporting system is available to ensure fairness for all applicants.
Career Impact
This internship is more than a resume builder; it is an immersion into one of the most respected development environments in the world. As a Quest Design Intern, you will leave with a deep understanding of how narrative-driven RPGs are synthesized, from the first line of a design doc to the final implementation in the engine.
CD PROJEKT RED | Quest Design Intern, 2026
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