Quick Facts
Take-Two Interactive internship · at a glance
Roles open and close throughout the year. Check Take-Two Interactive's careers portal for what is live today, and apply in the first week a role posts.
Before you applyWould your profile get you in?6 questions, under a minute. Compared with real interns who landed similar roles.Check my oddsAlso in this guide
Put real project work on your résumé, with the Wayfair AI Agent Engineering Externship or the TruBridge Healthcare Data Analytics Externship.
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| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | careers.take2games.com/jobs (Take-Two Summer Internship, Greenhouse) and 2k.com/careers/engineering-grad (2K Engineering Graduate Program). Rockstar roles post at rockstargames.com/careers/openings |
| Application window (2027–28) | 2K Engineering Graduate Program: open now for the Summer 2027 intake (recruitment opened September 14, 2026 on 2K's Early Careers board; rolling review). Take-Two Summer Internship reqs: not posted as of October 6, 2026, still expected roughly October to December 2026 and closing early 2027, based on the prior cycle being removed in early January 2026 |
| Rolling? | 2K Engineering Graduate Program: yes, applications are processed as they are received (apply early). Take-Two Summer Internship: not explicitly stated, but postings appear in a fall-to-winter window and are removed once filled, so treat it as window-based with early review |
| Eligibility | Take-Two Summer Internship: currently enrolled in higher education (no class-year or GPA cutoff published). 2K Engineering Graduate Program: a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or similar, with C++, C#, and Python proficiency |
| Duration | Take-Two Summer Internship: 3 months (summer). 2K Engineering Graduate Program: 21 months (3 months of core training plus 18 months across three studio rotations), starting in July |
| Compensation | Take-Two Summer Internship, NYC: $30/hour (Data Science and IT Support intern JDs). 2K Engineering Graduate Program: "highly competitive salary" plus benefits (specific figure not published). Community estimates (Glassdoor, 8 salaries) run a median near $47/hr, $35–$66/hr range: treat as directional, not official |
| Return offers | Take-Two says the program "serves as a gateway to building a talent pool of rising stars for permanent roles," and 2K grads are "primed for a full-time role" after the 21-month program. No official intern-to-full-time conversion percentage is published |
| Locations | Take-Two Summer Internship: New York, NY (hybrid, 4 days in office). 2K Engineering Graduate Program: 2K Novato (California), 2K Dublin (Ireland), and 2K Vancouver (Canada). Rockstar US studios include New York, New England, and San Diego. These are not remote programs |
| # Programs | Several early-career pipelines: the Take-Two Summer Internship Program (multiple tracks), the 2K Engineering Graduate Program, the 2K Publishing Graduate Program, 2K Technical Art grad openings, and a historical Rockstar Games University Internship Program. As of October 6, 2026 the Take-Two Greenhouse board shows 31 jobs, none of them internships, while 2K's Early Careers board lists the Engineering Graduate Program and the Technical Art Graduate Program (Cary, NC, Dublin and Vancouver) |
Last updated: November 2026
Take-Two Interactive runs one of the few paid internships in AAA gaming: a three-month Summer Internship inside the roughly 13,000-person company behind Rockstar Games, 2K, and Zynga. NYC data-science and IT interns were paid $30 an hour in the last cycle, and the 2K Engineering Graduate Program opened applications for its Summer 2027 intake on September 14, 2026. Take-Two's own corporate summer internship reqs were not posted yet as of October 6, 2026. Here is everything you need to line yourself up.
What Is a Take-Two Interactive Internship?
A Take-Two Interactive internship is early-career access to one of the largest names in interactive entertainment. Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO), founded in 1993 and headquartered in New York City, is a roughly 13,000-person company whose principal labels are Rockstar Games (Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption), 2K (NBA 2K, WWE 2K, Borderlands, Civilization, BioShock, Mafia), Zynga, and Ghost Story Games. "An internship at Take-Two" is really an umbrella over several distinct programs: the corporate Take-Two Summer Internship Program in New York (tracks such as Data Science, IT Support, and Legal), the 2K Engineering Graduate Program (a 21-month C++ and game-engine track), the 2K Publishing Graduate Program, and a historical Rockstar Games University Internship Program. The Take-Two Summer Internship is a paid, three-month program, and the company frames it as a gateway to permanent roles, so a strong internship is a genuine on-ramp into the studios behind some of the most anticipated releases in the industry.
When Do Take-Two Interactive Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
Take-Two's early-career calendar has one firm anchor and several expected windows. The firm anchor: the 2K Engineering Graduate Program opened recruitment for its Summer 2027 intake (a July 2027 start) on September 14, 2026, and because 2K processes applications as they are received, the effective deadline is now. The Take-Two corporate Summer Internship reqs are seasonal; the Summer 2026 postings went live in late 2025 and were removed in early January 2026 (the Data Science Intern req came down January 7 and IT Support January 20), so applications for Summer 2027 are expected to open between October and December 2026 and close in early 2027. As of October 6, 2026, Take-Two's Greenhouse board has no live intern reqs, which makes this the build window for the corporate tracks.
The 2K Engineering Graduate Program is open now (since September 14, 2026). Take-Two's own Greenhouse board lists 31 jobs and no internships yet, so for the corporate tracks this is still the build window. Get fluent in C++ (the gating skill for the engineering track), ship a small game or tool, learn Perforce or Git, and set job alerts on both the Take-Two and 2K boards.
Final prep before the Take-Two corporate reqs land. Polish a GitHub or itch.io portfolio (the 2K application asks for these links), rehearse C++ fundamentals for the task stage, and confirm your alerts are set. The 2K Engineering Graduate Program is already open, so apply to it first.
2K opened recruitment for the Summer 2027 intake (July 2027 start) on September 14, 2026, and applications are processed as received. This is rolling: apply now. The process then runs application and CV review, a mandatory group scoping call, a C++ task stage, and an interview stage.
Take-Two's corporate Summer Internship reqs (Data Science, IT Support, Legal and similar) had not posted as of October 6, 2026 and are expected to open between October and December 2026 and close in early 2027, mirroring last cycle's removal in early January. Apply as soon as a track you want appears, and only trust recruiters emailing from @take2games.com.
The Take-Two Summer Internship runs about three months, expected roughly June to August or September 2027 in New York (hybrid, 4 days in office). The 2K Engineering Graduate Program starts its 21-month track in July at Novato, Dublin, or Vancouver.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
The 2K Engineering Graduate Program is explicit that "applications will be processed as they are received," which is the clearest rolling signal Take-Two publishes. Rolling review means the strongest early applications get scoping calls and task-stage invites before later applicants are even read, so the calendar advantage is real: applying now, in the first weeks after the September 14, 2026 opening, is worth more than a slightly stronger application submitted a month later. The Take-Two corporate Summer Internship is functionally similar even though it is not labeled rolling; those reqs open in a defined fall-to-winter window and are pulled the moment they are filled, and last cycle they came down in early January. In both cases the winning move is the same: have the portfolio, resume, and C++ fundamentals ready now so you can submit within days of a posting going live, rather than scrambling to build proof after you see it.
Which Take-Two Interactive Internship Programs Should You Target?
"A Take-Two internship" spans several programs across the corporate publisher and its labels. The tracks below are drawn from the Summer 2026 intern postings, the official 2K graduate programs, and Rockstar's early-career history. The engineering track is the primary game-development path; the corporate tracks are the most accessible entry points for non-engineers.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer / Game Programming (2K Engineering Graduate Program; Rockstar Code/Tools) | Gameplay, systems, and tools programming with game engines; 3 months of core training plus rotations across studios | 21 months (2K grad) | C++ (dominant), C#, Python, data structures & algorithms, Perforce |
| Data Science / Analytics Intern (Take-Two, NYC) | Statistical analysis, ML, and data viz; projects in process automation, sales forecasting, and competitive intelligence | 3 months (summer) | Python, SQL, Sklearn/Pandas/NumPy, Tableau, statistics, Gitflow |
| IT Support Intern (Take-Two, NYC) | On-site IT and operational support, AV, asset management, and onboarding | 3 months (summer) | Windows 10/macOS, O365, Active Directory, TCP/IP, ticketing, PowerShell |
| 2K Publishing Graduate Program | Publisher-side rotational track across business, marketing, and production functions | Rotational grad program | Business acumen, communication, project coordination, marketing analysis |
| Art / Technical Art (2K & Rockstar) | 2K Technical Art grad openings and Rockstar art and tools roles (e.g., technical artist, animation tools programmer) | Varies by req | 3D art pipelines, technical art, tools scripting (Python), Maya |
See current openings at careers.take2games.com/jobs and the official 2K Engineering Graduate Program page. The engineering track is C++-first and code-heavy; the Take-Two corporate tracks (Data Science, IT Support, Legal) are the more accessible entry points if you are not a game-engine programmer.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Take-Two publishes different bars for its corporate internship and its 2K graduate program. The following is taken from the Summer 2026 intern JDs and the official 2K page:
• Take-Two Summer Internship (enrollment): "Currently enrolled in higher education" is the only hard education gate stated. No class-year restriction and no GPA cutoff are published in any intern JD.
• Take-Two Data Science Intern (role-specific): intermediate Python and SQL, plus foundations in calculus, statistics, and linear algebra, and exposure to ML, regression, and classification.
• 2K Engineering Graduate Program (degree): a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a similar field.
• 2K Engineering Graduate Program (technical): proficiency in C++, C#, and Python; strong algorithms, data structures, and design patterns; and source control, with Perforce preferred.
• Work authorization: the 2K graduate program notes that studio rotations are "subject to visa constraints," which can limit placement across the Novato, Dublin, and Vancouver sites. Take-Two intern visa sponsorship is not published (NOT FOUND).
How Selective Is It, and What Are the Real Gates?
Two gates matter most. First, C++ is effectively mandatory for the engineering track: the 2K task stage is a C++ coding assessment, and community reports are blunt that "knowing C++ is a must." If game engineering is your target, treat C++ fluency as the prerequisite rather than a nice-to-have. Second, these are in-person programs: Take-Two interns are in the NYC office four days a week, and 2K graduates are based in Novato, Dublin, or Vancouver, so plan for relocation, not remote work. One more practical note: Take-Two's reqs are seasonal, so an empty board in summer does not mean the program is gone; the intern reqs open in the fall. And a safety flag from the official careers page: Take-Two only contacts candidates from @take2games.com addresses and never interviews or makes offers over Telegram or WhatsApp.
Profile Match · Extern Data
Could You Get In at Take-Two Interactive? Compare Your Profile
Based on 403 software engineering interns who started their first software internship between 2024 and 2026 (public LinkedIn profiles, aggregated). Six questions, under a minute.
Which summer are you applying for?
Recruiting timelines differ by class year, so we compare you with the right group.
Which group is your school closest to?
Firms recruit on campus in tiers. We match you against admits from schools like yours.
Is your major computer science, software engineering, data science or electrical engineering?
Almost every software intern in our data studied one of these. Other majors get in, but the coursework has to show elsewhere.
How many internships, externships or research positions have you held so far?
Count anything with a real employer, mentor or principal investigator attached. Retail and food service do not count.
Has any of that experience been tech-related?
Software, data, IT, engineering or a research lab. Any size of company counts.
Do you have at least one project on your resume or LinkedIn?
Personal, class, hackathon or open-source projects all count.
Aggregated from public LinkedIn profiles of people who held the internship. No individual profile is shown. Read the cross-industry study of 2,500+ intern profiles.
What Skills Does Take-Two Interactive Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Take-Two's intern and graduate job descriptions point in two directions. For the engineering and game-development track, the through-line is C++: it is the language of the 2K task stage, it dominates AAA game-engineering intern postings generally, and it is backed by C#, Python, and a strong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and design patterns. For the Take-Two corporate tracks, the Data Science intern role leans on Python, SQL, statistics, and ML, while source control (Perforce for the studios, Git or Gitflow elsewhere) and disciplined debugging show up across roles. The chart below counts how often each skill appears across the intern and graduate JDs read for this guide plus the AAA game-engineering market snapshot.
What Take-Two Interactive looks for in interns
Skills across 6 Take-Two Interactive intern & analyst job descriptions · Summer 2027 game-development / SWE intern cycle
Method: skills counted across six sources for the Summer 2027 game-dev / SWE intern cycle: the Take-Two Data Science Intern, IT Support Intern, and Legal Intern JDs, the official 2K Engineering Graduate Program page, Rockstar openings, and the 2026 AAA game-engineering intern market snapshot. Counts show relative emphasis, not a market share. Community reports (Reddit) corroborate the C++ gate but are not counted as JD sources.
How Is Demand for Game Development Interns Moving Right Now?
Software engineer intern postings · Jul–Oct 2026
all internships 2.5×
For Take-Two Interactive applicants: Software engineer intern hiring is at or near its season high, in step with internships overall; this is the busiest stretch of the cycle, so get Take-Two Interactive applications in now.
Daily US job-posting counts, Jul–Oct 2026; each bar is that month's daily average. Growth = October vs July; “all internships” = the 48 intern searches tracked across the whole period. Covers under half of US postings; shows direction, not market size.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
And the skills that gate these roles map to remote Externships where you finish a real project before the reqs open.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| C++, systems & tooling engineering | 2K Engineering Graduate Program: "proficiency in C++, C#, Python," "algorithms, data structures, design patterns," C++ task stage | Wayfair AI Agent Engineering |
| Python, SQL, statistics & ML | Take-Two Data Science Intern: "intermediate Python and SQL," "statistics, linear algebra," "regression, classification" | TruBridge Healthcare Data Analytics |
| Product thinking & game/feature design sense | Studio and publishing tracks: end-to-end ownership of gameplay and player-facing features, and the 2K Publishing grad's product focus | BeReal Product Management |
How close is the overlap? The Wayfair project is agent-engineering and systems work that yields the build-and-ship evidence a C++ task stage probes for, the TruBridge project builds the Python-to-insight story a Take-Two Data Science round wants, and the BeReal project gives you the product-thinking narrative that a game or publishing interviewer looks for.
What Is the Take-Two Interactive Application and Interview Process Like?
Take-Two runs different processes for its corporate internship and its 2K graduate program. The 2K Engineering Graduate Program publishes a clear four-stage flow; the Take-Two corporate tracks are lighter and Greenhouse-based. Here is the combined path:
1. Watch the boards and apply. Set alerts on careers.take2games.com/jobs for the Take-Two Summer Internship (reqs expected October to December 2026) and apply to the 2K Engineering Graduate Program now for the Summer 2027 intake (open since September 14, 2026). Include GitHub or itch.io links.
2. Application and CV review. Both programs start with a resume and portfolio screen. For 2K, academic history and project links matter; for Take-Two corporate tracks, apply via Greenhouse with your resume for the NYC hybrid roles.
3. Group scoping call (2K, mandatory). 2K runs a mandatory group scoping call that explains the process and the role in detail before you advance.
4. Task stage (2K, C++). 2K's task stage is a C++ coding assessment; community reports describe a HackerRank test where the primary language is C++ with Leetcode-style algorithm problems. Some Take-Two corporate roles instead use a one-way recorded video screening (community-observed).
5. Interview stage. A technical-plus-fit interview closes the 2K process. Studio roles at 2K and Rockstar commonly add a coding test (C++ HackerRank, or C# for some Rockstar roles) before technical interviews.
Two practical notes. First, only respond to recruiters emailing from @take2games.com; Take-Two warns that it never interviews or makes offers over Telegram or WhatsApp. Second, community reports describe extensive tests and occasionally slow or no post-interview responses for 2K and Rockstar studio roles, so line up more than one track and keep applying while you wait.
What Students on Reddit Say
Three community threads give a first-hand look at the process, all paraphrased.
2K's assessment is delivered through HackerRank, and the primary language for the exam is C++, with Leetcode-style algorithm problems to expect.
A candidate noted that the 2K interview-process email explicitly states that knowing C++ is a must, confirming that the C++ gate for the engineering track is real rather than optional.
A former Take-Two intern described getting in through a college email blast: they saw a campus posting, submitted a resume, and landed an interview, showing that the corporate intern pipeline can start with a school listing.
Think you’re ready for an interview at Take-Two Interactive?
Take-Two's 2K program starts with a mandatory group scoping call, then a C++ coding assessment. Three rounds, honest feedback on every answer, no sign-up.
You check whether a username is taken millions of times a day. Which structure gives the fastest lookups?
How Do You Stand Out for a Take-Two, 2K, or Rockstar Internship?
Three moves, all executable before the reqs open. First, make C++ your visible strength: the 2K task stage is a C++ assessment and community reports call it a hard gate, so a public project that shows real C++ (a small game, an engine tool, a systems demo) does more than a line on a resume. Second, ship something end-to-end and put it where they ask for it; the 2K application requests GitHub or itch.io links, so a finished, playable or usable artifact with a clear write-up beats a pile of unfinished repos. Third, match the track to your strength: if you are not a game-engine programmer, the Take-Two corporate Data Science, IT Support, and Legal tracks in NYC are the more accessible entry points, and a Data Science applicant who can show Python, SQL, and a real analysis stands out immediately. Then set alerts on both boards and apply in the first days of the window, because the 2K program is rolling and Take-Two's reqs get pulled the moment they fill.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
Take-Two sits in AAA interactive entertainment. If you are building a games-industry internship list, these are the obvious neighbors to apply to in parallel:
- Electronic Arts (EA)Sports and blockbuster franchises (Madden, EA Sports FC, Battlefield) with a large, well-documented US internship programGuide →
- Activision BlizzardCall of Duty and Overwatch maker (now under Microsoft) that runs structured US summer game-engineering internshipsGuide →
- Epic GamesUnreal Engine and Fortnite; strong for engine, tools, and graphics interns who live in C++Guide →
- Riot GamesLeague of Legends and Valorant; a competitive early-career and internship pipeline across engineering and designGuide →
- Microsoft (Xbox Game Studios)Xbox and its first-party studios sit inside Microsoft's large, structured internship program with clear timelinesGuide →
Want the projects that make any of these applications stronger? Browse all Externships and finish a real one before the reqs open.
Our tech internships summer 2027 guide lays out every major program and when it opens.
FAQ
Can I still apply for a summer 2026 Take-Two Interactive internship?
No. The Summer 2026 cycle has closed: Take-Two's corporate intern postings (Data Science, IT Support, Legal) were removed from the boards in early January 2026, and the Summer 2026 program has finished. Your target is Summer 2027. The 2K Engineering Graduate Program opened applications for the Summer 2027 intake on September 14, 2026, and the Take-Two corporate reqs, not posted as of October 6, 2026, are expected between October and December 2026, so apply to 2K now and set job alerts for the rest.
Does Take-Two Interactive offer internships?
Yes. Take-Two runs a paid, three-month Summer Internship Program in New York (hybrid, 4 days in office), plus label programs: the 2K Engineering Graduate Program (21 months), the 2K Publishing Graduate Program, and historically a Rockstar Games University Internship Program. The corporate intern reqs are seasonal and open in the fall.
When do applications open for Summer 2027?
The 2K Engineering Graduate Program opened applications for the Summer 2027 intake on September 14, 2026 (official), and it is reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply now. Take-Two's corporate intern postings were not live as of October 6, 2026; they are expected to open between October and December 2026 and close in early 2027, based on the Summer 2026 reqs being removed in early January 2026.
How much do Take-Two interns get paid?
Take-Two's official NYC intern JDs (Data Science and IT Support) list $30/hour. The 2K Engineering Graduate Program advertises a "highly competitive salary" plus benefits without publishing a figure. Community data (Glassdoor, 8 salaries) shows a median around $47/hr and a range of $35–$66/hr, but treat those community numbers as directional, not official.
What skills do I need for the engineering / game-dev track?
C++ is effectively required: the 2K task stage and screen are in C++, and community reports state that knowing C++ is a must. Add C#, Python, strong data structures and algorithms, source control (Perforce preferred), and disciplined debugging. Game-engine experience (Unreal) helps. Data Science interns instead need Python, SQL, statistics, and ML.
What is the interview process?
The 2K Engineering Graduate Program runs four stages: application and CV review, a mandatory group scoping call, a C++ task stage, and an interview stage. 2K and Rockstar studio roles commonly add a coding test (a HackerRank test in C++, or C# for some Rockstar roles). Some Take-Two corporate roles use a one-way recorded video screening (community-observed).
Where are the programs located?
Take-Two interns are in New York City (hybrid, 4 days in office). The 2K Engineering Graduate Program runs from Novato (California), Dublin (Ireland), and Vancouver (Canada), with rotations subject to visa constraints. Rockstar US studios include New York, New England, and San Diego. None of these are remote programs.
Do interns convert to full-time roles?
Take-Two frames the Summer Internship as "a gateway to building a talent pool of rising stars for permanent roles," and 2K says graduates are "primed for a full-time role" after the 21-month program. No official intern-to-full-time conversion percentage is published for Take-Two, Rockstar, or 2K.
Take-Two's internships are real, paid, and competitive, and part of the calendar is already live: the 2K Engineering Graduate Program opened on September 14, 2026 for Summer 2027, and it reviews applications as they arrive. Spend the runway building proof: a remote Externship turns interest in game development into a finished project you can point at the moment the reqs go live.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
