Work Culture
Ongoing coverage on Work Culture.
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Grand Theft Auto 6 Artist Says 2022 Leaks Were “Weirdly Invasive”, “Like They’re Inside Your Head”
Grand Theft Auto 6 artist Aaron Garbut described early leaks of the game as "weirdly invasive" and emotionally difficult. Rockstar Games employees discussed the massive scale of the project, recent changes, and the studio's efforts to move away from crunch culture. The game is set to release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Report: Double Fine's union drive collapsed due to miscommunication and culture clash
A report details the collapse of Double Fine Productions' union drive in May 2026, attributing the failure to miscommunication and a clash between the studio's informal culture and US federal labor laws. The drive, reportedly the second at the company, was hampered by confusion over manager eligibility and internal conflicts, leading to its withdrawal.
In pictures: the Best Places To Work Awards 2026
The GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK 2026 celebrated companies that support their staff despite industry layoffs. The awards, sponsored by Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect, highlighted strong provisions for mental health, environmental sustainability, and education.
Winners of the UK Best Places To Work Awards 2026 revealed
The UK Best Places to Work Awards 2026 recognized 25 companies for excellence in staff support, with special awards given to Dink, Hangar 13, Jagex, NaturalMotion Games, Rare, and Snap Finger Click. The awards ceremony followed the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, highlighting studios that excel in creating positive work environments.
Here is the full line-up for the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit 2026
The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit 2026, scheduled for October 1 in London, has announced its full line-up of speakers and sessions. The event will feature keynotes from industry leaders discussing topics such as AI in HR, neurodiversity, workplace culture, and effective leadership. The summit will conclude with the Best Places to Work Awards.
WARDOGS Studio CEO Says Crunch is Never Mandatory, Admits to Social Pressure to Work Longer Hours
Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer clarified statements regarding crunch, asserting it is not mandatory at the studio despite admitting to social pressure that may encourage longer hours. He highlighted that 80% of the studio's shares are owned by 50% of its staff, indicating shared success, and noted that 50% of WARDOGS' development involved a 4-day work week with employees receiving the entire month of December off.
Activision Blizzard faces renewed sexual harassment and discrimination allegations in latest lawsuit
Activision Blizzard is facing a new lawsuit from a former employee alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination over a 14-year period. The suit details accusations of inappropriate touching, attempted rape, and sabotage by 10 men, with claims that HR and superiors dismissed her reports. Blizzard stated they take the allegations seriously and strive for a respectful workplace.
Wardogs has already made more money than Marathon, and its Steam launch momentum is ahead of Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2
Wardogs has achieved significant commercial success on Steam, selling over 2.2 million copies and generating $70 million in revenue, outperforming Bungie's Marathon and showing stronger initial momentum than Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2. The game's pricing strategy is cited as a key factor in its success, though developer Bulkhead faces scrutiny over its work culture and CEO Joe Brammer's controversial comments.
Wardogs studio CEO issues new statement, after backlash for saying his studio won't hire people who "constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging"
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, has issued a new statement addressing backlash from his comments about not hiring individuals who "constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging." Brammer clarified his remarks, stating they were informal discussions about the studio's culture and not a formal recruitment policy, while also defending the studio's approach to crunch and work-life balance experiments. The successful launch of Wardogs has led to discussions about staff rewards and the company's unique operational strategies.
Here are the first finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK
The finalists for the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards UK have been announced, recognizing excellence in workplace culture and specific areas like CSR, Diversity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, and Training & Development. NaturalMotion Games leads with five special award nominations, followed by Rocksteady Studios, Jagex, Playground Games, and Rare. The winners will be celebrated at a ceremony in London on October 1, 2026, following the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
Activision Blizzard sued by former employee over sexual harassment
Activision Blizzard is facing a lawsuit from a former employee alleging a pervasive 'frat boy' workplace culture that fostered sexual harassment and assault. The lawsuit details accusations of objectification, workplace pornography, and physical assault by male employees and supervisors. The company states it is taking the allegations seriously and strives for a respectful workplace.
Wardogs CEO says he won't hire devs who aren't down with mandatory crunch: 'If you care about what you're making, this is the place to work'
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, has stated that the studio will not hire developers who are against mandatory crunch, framing it as a requirement for those who truly care about their work. This policy has drawn criticism from industry colleagues who argue that crunch is a result of poor planning and negatively impacts profits and employee well-being. Brammer also acknowledged that Wardogs experienced significant crunch during its launch, with staff working overnight to fix server issues.
'It would have been insanity to take no action' - Fiery opening statements reveal Rockstar's culture of secrecy as tribunal against sacked GTA 6 employees begins
Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) presented opposing opening statements in a tribunal concerning the dismissal of 31 Rockstar North employees. The IWGB alleges Rockstar monitored a private Discord server used for union organizing and took action only after the union reached a recognition threshold, while Rockstar claims the dismissals were due to uncovered misconduct and breaches of confidentiality related to Grand Theft Auto 6 development.
Box Knight Review – Capitalism’s finest knight
Box Knight is a beat 'em up roguelike that uses relatable workplace humor and satire to explore themes of capitalism and employee frustration. While the gameplay mechanics are not groundbreaking and the difficulty can be high, the game's unique premise and cathartic combat make it an enjoyable experience for those seeking to vent workplace stress.
GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit reveals new People and Workplace focus, dedicated to shaping the future of games workplaces
The GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit, scheduled for October 1, will focus on People and Workplaces, addressing topics like AI integration, trade union relations, and effective leadership strategies. Keynote speakers include HR influencer Sasi Venables and Stellar Entertainment's Niki Head, who will discuss future people leadership and HR's role as a strategic partner.
Three indie horror publishers faced sexual harassment claims – what comes next?
Three indie horror publishers, Critical Reflex, Dread XP, and Black Lantern Collective, are facing scrutiny following sexual harassment allegations made by former employees and developers. Former Critical Reflex community manager Evelina Zemljic accused CEO Rita Lebedeva and Ted Hentschke, now a co-founder of Black Lantern Collective and formerly of Dread XP, of mistreatment and harassment. While Hentschke and Critical Reflex deny the bulk of the allegations, both companies state they have implemented significant changes to their workplace policies and culture in response to the complaints.
Out of the Blue
The author humorously notes that they failed to acknowledge System Administrator Appreciation Day by not showing appreciation to Frans, the Chief Engineer at Blue's News. This oversight is presented in a lighthearted manner.
"There are no benefits to being owned by Microsoft": Xbox owners accused of cultivating a "disposable worker mentality" in damning report on layoffs
A report details the impact of recent Microsoft layoffs on Xbox employees, including those at Bethesda, ZeniMax, and id Software. The article highlights a "disposable worker mentality" fostered by unclear goals and abrupt termination processes, with some employees expressing disillusionment with being owned by Microsoft and questioning the value of their work in terms of job security.
You can now enter the 2026 UK GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards
Games companies in the UK can now submit entries for the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards 2026. The awards, now in their ninth year, celebrate firms that support their teams, with a deadline of Friday, August 21st. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, October 1st, following the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit.
Double Fine documentary’s bittersweet epilogue highlights need for safe workplaces
An epilogue to the Double Fine Psych Odyssey documentary highlights the need for healthier workplace environments in game development. It examines how leadership, including CEO Tim Schafer, grappled with past issues and the impact on employees like Anna Kipnis, emphasizing lessons learned to foster a more supportive culture.
