Naughty Dog Reviews

Pros

* top quality games * focus on storytelling * one of the best animation teams in the world * best place for ambitious devs

Cons

Santa Monica is very expensive.

Pros

You'll be working on some of the best games in the industry, surrounded by some of the most talented, passionate people. You'll be sheltered from external pressure of publishers and have an unlimited budget as Sony's golden goose. Working here will open many doors for you.

Cons

Roughly every 5 years, the studio sheds its skin. You'll see developers leaving in droves, then the cycle will repeat as the new hires roll in. For a long time, you'll think this is the best job in games. You'll have likely spent years trying to get here and for the first few years, it delivers. You'll see people leave and go elsewhere and you'll think to yourself 'That's a strange move. Why would they ever leave...

Advice to Management

Attend some management training. Send your directors and leads on management training.

Pros

Great lads at this joint

Cons

Too much good food I put on some pounds

Pros

There is something special about being surrounded by some of the most talented people in the industry. I love getting to work on a product I’m truly proud of.

Cons

The hours have can be long towards the end of the project though they are very generous with PTO. It’s also more of a culture of perfectionism than something that feels demanded.

Pros

Good pay and great bonuses if you work here full time for more than a year! You get to work with the most amazing talent in the industry. I feel very comfortable working here, people are nice and welcoming, even when you get constructive criticism you can tell its all for the good of the game and not personal. Not that much backstabbing drama and fear as other places. Lots of PTO days and Sony discounts are cool too.

Cons

The only downside is the crunch is brutal most of the time, although they realize it and they are trying harder to fix it, which is nice. Lots of late hours and there's some pressure to stay late even though they can't exactly order you to stay late or come in on the weekend because that would be... maybe illegal for salaried employees and not only that it would be super lame and people would say eff that. Its all about...

Advice to Management

Keep up the work getting things set up to minimize crunch and to have generally smoother schedules.

Pros

Being associated with incredibly high quality and critically acclaimed games Company works with people with their life situations, and tries to be as understanding as possible of difficult circumstances.

Cons

Difficult crunch situations about once every year and a half

Advice to Management

Quality will always require hard work, but with diligence maybe that hard work can be spread around more.

Pros

seriously talented veterans , The studio has a great work environment and lots of opportunities to learn from co-workers.

Cons

On Contract and not yet knowing if you may be offered a Permanent Full-Time position.

Pros

Creative input, freedom, and world class artist to work with. It's a top notch company that cares for it's people and truly wants to make the best games out there!

Cons

Crunch can be brutal at times, and Santa Monica is a crazy expensive place to live. Salary is average, not fantastic but not bad.

Advice to Management

Keep it up! It's a great place to work and it's important to keep that passion and drive going