My Summer Internship at a VR Game Company

Learn about a VR game

Introduction

This summer, I had the chance to do a one-week internship at a VR game company in Tokyo. As someone who loves games and technology, it felt like a dream come true. Although I was nervous at first, I gradually got used to it and learned many valuable things.

First Experience at the Internship

On the first day, my task was to write a report about a VR game called Gorilla Tag. I expected to learn a lot about game development, but instead, I spent most of the day observing while playing the game and writing my report.

It felt like I was “secretly gathering information” while blending in with other players. Since the game required full-body movement, I also learned how to control my body better. I told myself that the next day I should remember more details and write my report faster.

Bug hunting

Taking on the Role of a Debugger

From the second day, I experienced the role of a “debugger.” A debugger is someone who plays the game to find bugs or glitches. Wearing a VR headset, I played for short sessions but concentrated hard on spotting issues.

I discovered that debugging requires a lot of focus and is an essential part of game development. Before this experience, I had no idea that creating a game involved such detailed work. Because I worked seriously, the development team promised to include my name in the game’s staff credits, which gave me great joy and motivation.

Conducting User Interviews

Another important part of my internship was taking on the role of a user interviewer.In the game world, I asked players about their experiences—what they enjoyed, what they found difficult, and what could be improved. These conversations gave me valuable hints on how to make the game more engaging and fun.

I realized that listening to users is just as important as fixing bugs. Feedback helps developers see the game from a player’s perspective and inspires strategies for improvement. By collecting these opinions, I learned how small details can shape the overall enjoyment of a game.

This experience showed me that creating a game is not only about coding or debugging but also about communication, empathy, and understanding the player’s needs.

Final Reflections

During the internship, I limited my time wearing the VR headset to about 30 minutes a day. At first, I was excited about the idea of actually making a game. But I soon realized that real game development also involves steady work—researching other games, finding their strengths and weaknesses, and discussing ideas for improvement.

This was my very first internship, and I was nervous at the beginning. However, by the end of the week, I felt it was a truly valuable and rewarding experience. I not only learned more about games but also discovered how much effort, teamwork, and patience go into creating them.