Infinity Ward Reviews

Pros

Inclusivity, Career Development, Work Flexibility

Cons

Activision Publishing mandated a very unpopular Return-To-Office policy this year.

Pros

Biggest, most popular franchise, ever. A lot of top tier talent. Good benefits and overall strong employee support.

Cons

Far too many employees. Feels like an assembly line factory that keeps growing to fulfill demand. So many leads and managers to help guide all the people. Infinity Ward sub-studios opening in different states and countries. Feeling of a loss of ownership and studio identity. DE&I initiative very heavy handed and at forefront of everything, out of control. Heavy push to hire with diversity as major factor. Constant reminders that diversity is key to success. New courses to lecture you on how to be an adult and be nice to people. Profit sharing is a fraction of what it used to be. See note about far too many people.

Pros

- Lots of great folks working in the studio professionally and personally. - High profile project makes for fun recognition in public. - Bonuses are great if the game ships well. - Fantastic people in the VFX department.

Cons

- Salaries are severely lagging behind the industry. Seems like they’re making improvements with new listing, but found significantly better pay elsewhere. Hard to recommend for experienced industry professionals. - Poorly shipped games resulted in lousy bonuses. - Hard stance on hybrid/onsite as of early 2023. Would like to return if they would meet my new compensation package, however it appears lack of remote work options means I will not be returning. - Bro culture at the top. I get it with the game that’s being made, but maybe take it down a notch?

Pros

- Ship games consistently - Low risk of the studio dissolving - Pay and benefits can be good

Cons

- Tasks are assigned with aggressive deadlines without consulting an expert for an estimate and you're expected to finish them - Long hours with no overtime pay - Bonuses happen after shipping and you might find the long hours went unappreciated too late - More effective to leave the company for a promotion than stay - Some members of leadership can be toxic

Pros

Work with passionate developers who know their games.

Cons

Long hours; goals could be sometime unrealistic and burn out quickly. RTO(return to office) has triggered some developers to look for other options.

Pros

Free lunch, good benefits, potential for decent bonuses, a good number of hard working and passionate team members

Cons

Many of the leads/directors are extremely weak and have no desire to improve, and feedback from these leads is often nebulous and unhelpful. Work hours are grueling, work life balance is non existent, expectations are unrealistic and there is no support infrastructure to mitigate this. There are frequently scenarios in which leadership's inaction will require their team members to pick up the slack and work longer, harder hours to make up for it. Salaries are very low in comparison to the rest of the industry, particularly other LA based ones. Bonuses are decent, but will likely not make up for that salary gap. The studio is extremely clique driven, and individual success is entirely based on in-office politics and not the quality of one's work. Pat Kelly is the most toxic studio head I have ever and likely will ever work with.

Pros

Amazing product to work on, some of the most intelligent people I've ever met work here, and the problem solving is always engaging and interesting.

Cons

As the company grows and expands there's more and more corporate culture that seeps into daily life at the company.

Pros

Good work environment Great team

Cons

Forced / guilted to doing crunch

Pros

Potentially big Call of Duty bonuses, good pay

Cons

Very toxic leadership that relies on yelling, profanity, intimidation. The studio is run like a frat house, and you're either one of the boys club or you're not. Everything is about being bigger, louder, more badass. The bigger personalities lord over everyone else. Bonuses are dangled in front of you like carrots to keep you in line. Very definition of bro-culture.

Pros

It's a good place to work, with multiple opportunities for growth throughout the company. Aside from that it is a fun environment, and somewhat laid back. At least laid back before we get closer to shipping our newest game.

Cons

It can feel tough at times being heard when you are newer to the company and don't have an established relationship with those above you in the company.