Electronic Arts

I loved the studio I worked for (Criterion) and enjoyed the projects I worked on over my 2+ years at the studio.

Studio management was as open as could be about goings-on across the company/studio.

I worked on a wide variety of titles.

There was a positive studio culture.

There was no crunch enforced across the studio (some people worked extra, but by choice).

The offices were nice.

Standing desks were standard, as was well-maintained equipment.

The location was good.

• My direct manager wasn't good with people; didn't appear to have people training or previous experience in a similar role.
• Kept on having a carrot dangled in front of me of the opportunity of being made perm, but never got the offer.
• Short notice on contract renewals, usually for periods less than a year.
• QA is seen as disposable.
• QA doesn't get paid fairly.
• Contractors are paid weekly via an external agency.
• Contractors don't get the benefits perm staff get.
• QA is part of CDS (Separate organisation), so doesn't get the same treatment as other people in the exact same studio (e.g., no flexitime and gets cut out from other project updates).
• Uncertain future, as is with most game development, but EA has a history of closing studios and cancelling projects, so it's something you always have in the back of your mind. In my time at the company, plans changed a lot.
• Expensive area to live in.
• Felt like I couldn't progress from my initial role due to many different reasons.

If people are going to be made into managers, provide significant training. Treat QA fairly, both in pay and with progression. Keep the studio culture as good as it is. Try and expand it across the rest of the studios in the company so they are in the same situation.