Electronic Arts – “Works for the Sims Label at Electronic Arts”

Pros

THIS pertains to The Sims Label of EA!!!!

The SIMS division works extremely hard to keep a healthy environment for the employees. Even though they function under the umbrella of EA the structure the division functions so well that they have somehow created a template for how the rest of the company’s labels should operate.

The people at Maxis/Sims Label are extremely knowledgeable. I couldn't ask for more amiable personalities either. The work ethic there is very proactive and many innovations in production are made there. It’s a great place to start your career in Video Game Development. You will learn pipeline workflows and get production experience that can be scalable to any future project you will work on.

I have visited the campus in Emeryville as well. The energy there is very exciting. You feel that industry pioneering is happening there.

Cons

Most of the products are not linear experiences so focusing on a behavioral system limits the visual tech that you can put into the game because it takes a significant processor hit on lower end gaming platforms. Even working on the PC titles because so much computational engineering effort needs to go into the behavioral systems of the game.

You may not be able to work in the Science fiction or Fanatasy genres which usually push the level of detail that current generation console games have to offer. The fixed art style of the Sims Label is mainly geared toward the casual gaming crowd so if you want to make guns, aliens, zombies and vampires you may want to go to a different division.

Also when launching new IP they tend to give short development cycles which isn't enough time for a Dev Team to really get a solid industry leading product that they can be proud of.

Advice to Senior Management

Even in this recession we need to get more time on a project. Leading titles are made over a few years not a portion of a year. Many projects already exist to hold the Label in strong position. Allow the new IP's to simmer, keep development efforts focused on new experiences and quality. Then overtime you'll have more industry innovating products that will strengthen the already solid foundation that Maxis/The Sims is on.