Employee Well-Being in the Games Industry: HR Guide For When Times Are Tough

Well-being in the games industry is sometimes given lower priority due to gamedev’s “creative aura” and its fast-paced environment. When creating a game, high expectations come from players, the studio, and the industry itself. This leads to long hours, pressure to meet deadlines, and the push to deliver at the right time with the expected quality – factors that can contribute to what gamedevs know as crunch periods.

Is Employee Well-Being Really That Important?

But all the assumptions above aside – most of us most likely feel that the well-being of our team members should always be a top priority. It’s not only about the common sense, but also about the data. Motivated teams, whose needs are met, perform better and are more likely to exceed expectations and overcome challenges. Gallup research shows that companies with highly engaged employees are 21% more profitable than those with low engagement. Their State of the Global Workplace report highlights data on profitability, absenteeism, and productivity, showing that motivated employees are not only more productive but also more customer-focused and tend to stay longer in their roles.

Is Well-Being Tied to Work Mode: RTO vs Remote First

One of the most-discussed challenges in gamedev today revolves around work mode—what employers prefer often doesn’t align with what employees want. According to the Gamedev Salary Pulse, our report published in Q1 2024, only 15.7% of game developers were working fully on-site at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, 52.1% were fully remote, with the remaining 32.2% in hybrid roles, blending remote work with office visits.

Return to Office Trend in Gamedev

This year, we’ve observed a growing trend of RTO (Return to Office) recommendations, or even mandates, mainly from large organizations. Many are opting for a middle ground—hybrid work—recognizing that while remote work has brought flexibility and access to global talent, it also presents challenges. A common one is the feeling of isolation. Without the casual in-office interactions, such as chatting over coffee, developers often struggle to stay connected with their teams, share ideas, or offer support. This lack of social interaction can deepen feelings of isolation, which in turn impacts mental health.

Additionally, the pandemic blurred the line between work and personal life for many employees. In the creative environment of the games industry, it’s especially tough to “switch off” when working from home, leading to overwork and burnout. Considering these challenges—remote work fostering feelings of isolation and the ‘invisible pressure’ to always be available—many studios have embraced RTO policies in 2024.

RTO Backlash

However, the backlash has been significant (let’s just remind the situation of Ubisoft France after they announced mandatory in-office days or how Rockstar Games RTO decision was commented). Many talented individuals either resigned or were let go, unable or unwilling to shift their lifestyles to accommodate a return to the office. LinkedIn was filled with “Open to Work” banners from people who couldn’t afford to relocate closer to the studios.

In the games industry, employee well-being is undeniably tied to work mode, making it a complex issue to navigate from the start.

Well-Being vs Crunch Periods

Another major challenge to the well-being in the games industry arises during crunch periods—extended stretches where teams work intensively to meet game development deadlines. While crunch can push a game toward completion on schedule, it often takes a toll on physical and mental health, leading to burnout. This, in turn, decreases motivation and productivity—two critical elements in game development.

Research has consistently shown that prolonged stress, particularly in highly creative fields like gamedev, can seriously impact mental well-being, contributing to burnout, anxiety, and depression. The rising prevalence of burnout among designers stems from unrealistic deadlines, the constant demand for innovation, and heavy workloads. Additionally, a lack of supportive workplace environments only exacerbates stress and increases the risk of burnout.

Many studies have demonstrated that productivity begins to decline once overtime work kicks in. In fact, research shows that after 60-hour workweeks, output levels are roughly the same as those achieved in a 40-hour week, highlighting the diminishing returns of extended hours.

How to Prioritize Well-Being in the Games Industry?

Considering that employee morale is already declining due to ongoing mass layoffs in the industry, game studios must actively prioritize the well-being of their teams by taking actionable steps. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Encouraging collaboration and communication, no matter the work mode:

While remote work has its benefits, it can often leave team members feeling isolated. To combat this, companies can organize regular check-ins, virtual team-building activities, or even social events to foster a sense of connection and support. At 8Bit, we dedicate an hour every Thursday to playing games together or simply chatting about random things. We’ve even escaped from a virtual room! So, if you want to make your team feel connected, there are plenty of ways to do it.

That said, many studios are also adopting hybrid or RTO (Return to Office) models, which offer more face-to-face interactions. These approaches can help balance the flexibility of remote work with the camaraderie of in-person collaboration, ensuring employees feel connected without sacrificing their well-being. Finding a middle ground between remote work and RTO can be key to fostering a supportive and engaged team.

2. Providing mental health resources:

Offering access to mental health support, such as therapy, counseling, or stress management programs, is essential. Providing free meditation apps, wellness programs, or even having an on-site therapist during high-stress periods can also be helpful. At 8Bit, we offer five sick days that can also be used as ‘mental health’ days. This means that our team members don’t have to feel physically sick to take a day off—they can take time to focus on their mental health too.

3. Reducing crunch culture:

It’s crucial to rethink and implement more realistic timelines and encourage a culture of work-life balance. Reducing crunch periods helps create a healthier work environment that supports creativity and productivity by minimizing stress.

Employee Well-Being in the Games Industry As a Long-Term Strategy

A positive work environment fosters creativity and productivity by engaging people in a supportive atmosphere. When employees feel emotionally supported and comfortable, they are more likely to engage deeply with their projects, leading to increased productivity. Collaboration between teams can further enhance productivity, driving innovation and creative ideas.

Companies that prioritize employee well-being tend to have lower turnover rates and create a more stable, secure environment. Employees who feel their well-being is valued are 69% less likely to actively search for a new job and are five times more likely to advocate for their company as a great place to work. Gallup’s research highlights that well-being initiatives not only improve retention but also enhance engagement and performance. A healthy and engaged team is more creative and productive, resulting in better games and a more sustainable work environment.