Sledgehammer Games-Animation Intern (Summer 2026)
Job Overview Company: Sledgehammer Games (Activision Blizzard / Microsoft). Location: Toronto, Ontario (Strictly in-person/studio-based). Salary: $60,000 CAD annualized (calculated based on a 40-hour work week). Relocation: Support available for students living 150km+ from the Toronto office. Duration: 12-week program starting mid-May 2026. Sledgehammer Games, a premier studio under the Activision Blizzard umbrella (now part of the Microsoft Gaming family), is looking for visionary students to join their Toronto-based team for the Summer 2026 internship cycle. As a core developer of the Call of Duty® franchise, Sledgehammer Games is at the forefront of AAA game development, pushing the boundaries of realism, cinematic storytelling, and technical performance. This 12-week program is designed to provide “meaningful projects and an unparalleled experience.” Interns are not just observers; they are integrated into production pipelines where their creative output directly impacts world-class titles played by millions globally. The Opportunity: Bringing Characters to Life As an Animation Intern, you will transition from academic theory to professional execution within a “realistic and grounded” art style. The role is multidisciplinary, requiring collaboration with designers, character artists, and technical artists to ensure that every movement—from a soldier’s tactical reload to a subtle facial twitch in a cinematic—aligns with the game’s vision. Key Areas of Focus: Real-Time Game Assets: Developing animations that perform flawlessly within a proprietary game engine. 1st & 3rd Person Perspectives: Crafting the “feel” of movement from the player’s point of view as well as external AI behaviors. In-Game Cinematics: Assisting in the creation of narrative sequences that bridge the gap between gameplay and story. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Participating in production meetings to understand how animation interacts with rigging, lighting, and game design logic. Candidate Requirements & “Player Profile” Sledgehammer Games looks for “Learning Agility”—the ability to grasp complex new skills quickly and apply them to organized, solution-oriented problem-solving. Technical Qualifications: DCC Proficiency: Highly skilled in a traditional 3D animation suite, specifically Autodesk Maya. Animation Principles: A profound understanding of timing, weight, anticipation, and squash-and-stretch applied to realistic human movement. Engine Implementation: Knowledge of how animations are integrated into game engines (e.g., state machines, blend trees). Portfolio/Reel: A mandatory requirement. Your reel should demonstrate grounded, realistic motion consistent with the Call of Duty aesthetic. Academic & Logistics: Enrollment: Must be in a post-secondary or graduate program. Residency: Must currently reside in Canada or be willing to relocate (Sledgehammer provides relocation services for those qualifying). Soft Skills: Excellent communication and the ability to contribute effectively within a large team hierarchy. Industry Context: Diversity and Representation Activision Blizzard and Sledgehammer Games are committed to building an inclusive culture. This is especially relevant in the Canadian gaming landscape, which has seen significant shifts in recent years. Workforce & Market Statistics Gender Representation: As of late 2025, reports from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC) indicate that 51% of Canadian gamers are women. However, within the technical workforce (Animation/Engineering), women historically represent approximately 27-30% of the industry. Sledgehammer Games explicitly encourages women and underrepresented groups to apply to bridge this gap. Racial Diversity: The gaming industry in North America has seen an upward trend in ethnic diversity. For example, recent industry-wide data shows that racial and ethnic minorities now make up over 53% of the broader tech workforce in major firms, with a focus on increasing representation in senior and specialized roles like Technical Animation. The “Toronto Hub”: Toronto has emerged as a global center for game dev, housing over 100+ studios. The Sledgehammer Toronto office specifically serves as a strategic pillar for the global Call of Duty pipeline, partnering with sites in California, Melbourne, and the UK. Our World: The Sledgehammer Culture Working at Sledgehammer Games means joining a network that “entertains the universe.” The studio is responsible for some of the most successful entertainment products in history, including Modern Warfare III, Vanguard, and Advanced Warfare. The culture emphasizes: Innovation: Using AI and proprietary tools to solve rigging and animation challenges. Holistic Wellbeing: Providing benefits that support physical, emotional, and financial health—even for temporary intern roles. Equity: A transparent hiring process where candidates are updated on decisions within a timely window (typically 45 days post-interview under new Ontario standards). Application & Hiring Process Initial Application: Submit a resume and a link to your digital portfolio or demo reel. Portfolio Review: Sledgehammer’s animation leads evaluate your technical “craft” and stylistic fit. Interviews: If selected, you will undergo interviews focusing on your organization, problem-solving, and collaborative spirit. Onboarding: Successful candidates will begin their 12-week journey in mid-May 2026.
