VIDEO GAME COMPANIES THE BEST TO WORK FOR IN BC?
Image Credit: http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca
The video game company I work for recently won a Best Company to Work for in BC 2008 award. The list, published by BC Business Magazine, celebrates the Top 20 companies in BC whose employees have rated them the highest. The list is broken into the 10 companies with more than 100 employees, and the top 10 companies with less than 100 employees.
Of the 20 companies listed, 3 are video game companies. What is it about video game companies that make them so rewarding to work for?
In previous years (during university etc), I worked for a number of large Fortune 500 companies in business positions (Kraft Canada, Bell Communications, Citigroup Financial). Despite the massive amount of financial backing and resources that these companies had, they could never match the vibrant culture of the video game industry.
I started working in the video game industry immediately after graduation, and worked for a medium-large (~150 employees) Vancouver video game company known primarily for strategy games. The beautiful office was located in the Bentall 5 building, set amongst finance and law firms. Even though I was previously a “suit”, I enjoyed walking around the building in my jeans and hoodie. I missed the formality and confidence that business dress exuded, but I enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of my workplace. Free pop, free beer on Fridays, an arcade machine, and a foosball table were among the many amenities.
The video game industry is well-known for its perks, from Christmas bonuses to limousine rides and big parties. That seems to be toning down a bit in the economy and with a number of large studios and publishers getting shut down, but the fun-loving culture is still there.
The current video game company I’m with is no different. Fun people and a great work environment. I love being able to come in at 10 AM if I’m tired, or come in at 8 AM and leave early if necessary. Flexible hours are so important these days with people being involved in a number of different activities. I love the champagne at company announcements, the cool company-branded gifts, and sweet parties and events. The benefits are great too at video game companies, from full health care coverage, massage, and more.
The darkest side of the video game industry could potentially be the long overtime hours that are worked. Many Electronic Arts employees I’ve talked to attest to staying overnight and working on weekends for weeks or months on end near a deadline. I’ve seen that at the previous video game company I worked for… late night overtime meals are provided and people work late into the wee hours of the morning. Mandatory overtime is sometimes even implemented to keep the project on schedule. Is it a small price to pay for all the other perks?
Fortunately, the current company I’m working for seems to really understand the work-life balance. Employees aren’t happy if they are are overworked, and the company benefits overall from the creativity and energy of its employees if they are well-rested and happy. People aren’t allowed to work late here, they actually need permission to do so. It’s a breath of fresh air.
What do you think? Are video game companies the cream of the crop in terms of companies to work for? Are there other better industries out there? Is there a dark side to the video game industry? Do you think work-life balance is important?
Tags: awards, BC Business Magazine, Bentall 5, best companies to work for in BC, British Columbia, economy, layoffs, Vancouver, video game industry, work-life balance
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December 1st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Looks like Credit Unions are right up there too… I wonder why that is?
December 1st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Great post! Yeah my bro works for EA, he could be basically roll out of bed and go to work and no one would care (unless he stinks lol). The work life balance is the key, especially for our generation. The older generation in some of the other companies you mentioned don’t get that.
The corporate culture is laid back and fun. At the same time deadlines have to be met. My bro does work weekends sometimes but he loves what he does so he doesn’t mind. He’s also very young and single so not many personal commitments right now for him.
I work in a similar company culture (not in the video game industry, food and beverage), come when you want and leave when you want as long as you get your stuff done. We get benefits, free parking (which is huge downtown) and many other perks. We can also wear whatever we want, however I still like the corporate attire from time to time.
To me work life balance is important. I also don’t like to be micro managed and I don’t do the same for the staff I supervise. The money is important but not the be all and end all, besides I trade stocks while I work and make more money in a week than I would in a month sometimes. Thats my 2 cents
December 1st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Cool post Allie.
Being a thumb-jockey, I considered (briefly) going into the video game industry myself out of school, but ended up in finance instead.
Work-life balance? It’s a fairy-tale where I work. I’m the youngest by an average of 30 years in my office, and my duties are determined by things that don’t really give a damn about what I want to do on any given weekend.
The best (worst?) example was a day where I started at 6 AM on a Thursday, was on a plain to Regina at 4 PM, sat up all night in a hotel pouring over geology and access maps, being at the government office the next morning, getting on another plane to Toronto for a ad hoc meeting on Saturday at noon, and then back to Regina for a Monday AM meeting about permitting issues…and back in the office on Tuesday for regular duties (they let me sleep in until 8 AM though, generous hearts that they are).
I like it, and I do well, but greed is really what drives my industry and greed, well, it never sleeps.
Happy to hear the video game industry is more relaxed though.
December 1st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
There’s something magical about video games. I grew up on Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy and then made the jump to all sorts of crazy Japanese imports. Without going into too much detail (for I am already ubergeeky), they were a lot of fun.
While I can’t design or script a game together, one of my dreams is to score for games and films. More and more as technology push forward, they become full-fledged experiences that engage their audiences far beyond any movie could. I want to be a part of that experience. I want to inspire someone. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent listening to game soundtracks. They’re just as deep – if not deeper – than their film counterparts, and they have much more meaning as you encounter them for extended periods of time.
I won’t comment on the darker side of things, but I think that video companies really know and embrace what their customers want, and thus make happier employees.
December 1st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I think the attitude and vibe of colleagues makes the work environment moreso than the industry of the company, where the two are only loosely correlated. However, any fun or entertainment oriented industries are more likely to attract likewise workers. That being considered, it seems the BC Business surveys or readership would not likely include these types of companies. For example, I bet “working” in a touring rock band has some wicked perks. Being the Stanley Cup holding guy is probably the perkiest job one can have.
At the same time I don’t think the industry determines the environment of the job. One restaurant I worked for had some of the most fun people I’ve ever met. We had similar perks to the #1 company on the BC Business list (free food, party every week, lax schedule, etc.). Another restaurant was miserable and depressing.
Although, a certain video game company (that I don’t work for) covers for my gym time so I can play floor hockey every week, which is kind of nice…
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Work & play balance is definitely important. That’s why I try to head outdoor as much as possible. I work in a high tech company and we definitely follow that policy. If there’s an issue it’s not odd to see ppl pulling 12 hours or more. A co-worker of mine used to work at EA before working here and he had told me about the typical work load before the launch deadlines.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Please tell me you got fired from Kraft Canada, because if you voluntarily left a position at the maker of the greatest food in the world, I will never forgive you.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I’ve worked in the videogame industry off and on for about a decade. It’s one of the most volatile industries I know of. Regardless of the economy, there are frequent turn overs. It has it’s perks, don’t get me wrong… but almost every industry vet will tell you that folks on the outside have a romantic notion and the truth is not so pretty.
December 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
@Zaskoda: So very true. That’s the point where it comes down to passion and tenacity, I think. And paying the bills.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Michelle, I have no idea.. that’s a good question!
Urban Dweller.. doesn’t sound like you have it too bad if you can make some money off of stocks on the side! Sounds like you’ve got lots of perks!
vancityguy, yep I see what you’re saying. But it also puts you in a good position to be the youngest and still working super hard and being an important part of the organization. That’s a good place to be in!
Jeremy, yep.. have you ever considered trying to get into the video game industry with your musical skills?
Jamie, you’re right. It’s definitely more about the people and how they are than the actual work environment. I wonder why high tech / video game companies tend to attract that more? The youth?
Tawcan, wow 2 hour days would be rough. Good idea to get out and get skiing then… your trips are always epic.
Mike Works, I worked for them in a summer between university. Sadly I had to get back to university
But yeah it was pretty cool working for them… I got free boxes of cookies and Kraft Dinner and cheese and Jello-O and pretty much everything.
Zaskoda, it definitely is volatile and it’s not all rainbows and unicorns
But I still find working for a video game company is awesome despite all that, and I still feel rather romantic about it 