Meh - Anonymous employee Playground Games Employee Review

2.0
Jun 1, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great challenges - Good for CV - Good IPs - Some exceptional staff - Good culture in the trenches

Cons

- Poor work/life balance. Crunch is expected and 'paid for' with 'free' food. It's usually one team each game that gets it rough - Rigid hierarchy. Job title matters way too much - Too many useless meetings - Too many useless and time consuming processes to follow - Management don't have the balls to ask staff to crunch. They call it 'extra effort' and pretend it is optional - Management like to brag about their yearly staff survey. Little of relevance is actioned based on the results of the survey - Management occasionally promise some actual relevant improvements (new toilets) but rarely execute them - Senior management are condescending - Some departments are understaffed

Explore other reviews about Playground Games

1.0
Jul 5, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks. Access to healthcare benefits. Opportunity for (optional) bonuses. Gain valuable professional experience. Collaborate with supportive team members. Hybrid work options available.

Cons

Playground claims to be the 'best place to work in the industry,' but the reality is far from ideal. The culture here is deeply entrenched in crunch, despite their attempts to portray otherwise. If you value work-life balance, this isn't the place for you. Many across different departments visibly struggle under the relentless pressure imposed by senior leadership, often resulting in tears. While the work itself can be fulfilling, it's nothing exceptional. Advancement within the company is notoriously difficult unless there's an opening due to turnover. Those who excel at talking rather than doing often find themselves rewarded over those who quietly contribute. Networking and currying favor with higher-ups are crucial here; it's more about who you know than what you can do at Playground Games. Senior leadership bears a significant responsibility for the high turnover rates, largely due to poor planning and a tendency to blame and override team leads instead of fostering open discussion. Diversity is another glaring issue, especially in senior positions where women are notably underrepresented. The tools and technology used here are outdated and cumbersome, further adding to the frustration and turnover among employees. With a lack of experienced senior staff due to these challenges, opportunities for mentorship and growth are limited. In conclusion, while Playground Games offers competitive pay, it comes at the expense of a toxic work environment that I wouldn't recommend for anyone concerned about their well-being.

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