Naughty Dog Reviews

Cons

Santa Monica is very expensive.

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 here?' Then, a few years later, the truth will start to reveal itself.

The signs will be subtle at first, but you'll be drinking the Kool-aid. Even though the head of the studio says 'it's not possible to make a game with this quality without crunch', it won't alarm you since you're sure that's what it takes. The money's still good, the people are still good.

Whatever, you'll probably have some of the best years of games industry experience in your life here. Then you'll realize the studio has no interest in your personal development or well-being. It only cares about making The Next Big Thing and it'll do it whatever it takes.

It might not be any one particular thing that moves you on, but once you make the decision, you won't look back.

Work here. Enjoy it. Just don't go in expecting to be here forever. It's not the dream you think it is.

Cons

Too much good food I put on some pounds

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.

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 getting your work done though, if you work super hard and you do all your stuff you can just leave whatever time you want as long as you're sure your work is getting done. Some people chat all day and night and stay late so it might look like they are working hard because they stay super late but it's their work that really shows whats going on and I think people can see that. But overall I think some crunch is okay considering they make it pretty easy on you the other times.

Cons

Can earn more money elsewhere.

Cons

Difficult crunch situations about once every year and a half

Cons

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

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.

Cons

Insane crunch hours, little to no recognition or acknowledgment