|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Mar 17th, 2021 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
3D Environment Artist
|
Austin, TX
|
|
3D Artist
|
|
Not very hard art, Team environment
|
Not a lot of commutations.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
0.0
|
NO_OPINION
|
0.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Feb 10th, 2021 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
Game Developer
|
|
|
Not the Great Place It Should Be
|
|
Be part of Nintendo
Year end bonuses
|
Healthcare is just okay
Base salary/raises could be better
Outdated/frustrating technology
Most devs have no voice
Terrible leadership
Benefits were middling to bad. The only free healthcare plan available is an incredibly high deductible plan where the company contributes about 50 a month for an employee. If you want a copay plan, you'll have to cover part of the cost yourself. Nintendo of America employees have much better benefits. It's really strange how a studio owned by one of the largest and most successful game companies in the world can't afford to fully cover healthcare for the people who are creating the products they profit from.
Pay is okay but needs to be much better. Again, they're part of Nintendo. There's not really an excuse to be paying people as low as they do especially for the Austin area. The year end bonuses were nice but they are not a guarantee every year.
Company events are just okay. Mostly just having catered food brought into the break room. The volunteer team of employees for organizing these events works their butts off though (the CEO likes to take credit for their work). The only great benefit was being able to purchase Nintendo items at a discount through the company store.
The games taking a long time isn't a factor of the studio aiming for the best quality.
It's the ineptitude of management and lack of growth in the dev team.
Most members of the team have been at retro for 10+ years. Many have not
kept up with current game tech or pipelines. Many of the devs are still at Retro because they wouldn't be able to find a position anywhere else. While there is some talent here, this is not a place where the best in the industry stay long. Management really has no business organizing team development. The schedule is hardly adhered to and the miscommunication is constant.
Very outdated pipeline. The engine is old and frustrating to work with. It lacks basic functionality of current game engines. They don't take critique of the engine very well and there aren't enough devs building the engine to make it better or actually viable. They either need to use a 3rd party engine or hire enough people to build a proper one.
They say they want to hear from new people who come in, and they will let you talk about how to improve things, but nothing changes. They say they'll change and then go right back to what they've been doing for years. Only leads or Japan devs really have any say in any direction and don't listen to ideas from devs under them. So don't expect much creative input in most things.
Some leads are verbally abusive. They've yelled at employees and don't see any consequences. The role structure is also a mess. Many devs with the senior title mainly earned their titles just be being there a long time and being friends with the lead. Nepotism is rampant.
Japan can be a bottleneck in regards to decisions. Progress moves way slower than it should and often work is thrown out and redone (sometimes multiple times). There have been times where devs have had to work a full year on a single task. And sometimes, there will be a deadline that the team isn't ready for and then devs are asked to work over the weekend or during holidays. They don't do comp days so you will have to consider that time gone. No overtime pay here.
Unless you're a lead, you won't have really any contact with the Japan-side. Meetings with Japan are very closed off, so most don't actually get to work with any of the Japan developers directly. They will likely claim that you get to work with Nintendo during interviews, but it really isn't true for most of the team.
When they come to visit, only a select few would be invited to join them for dinner after work.
Overall, it's not a great place despite being part of Nintendo.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
The entire studio needs to be audited from the top down and restructured.
Pay devs what they're worth or you'll lose the good ones to better paying jobs. Studio name recognition and empty praise doesn't pay the bills.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Jan 23rd, 2021 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
Anonymous - Former Employee
|
Austin, TX
|
|
limp handshake & fake smile
|
|
Lucky for gamers the most visionary talent at Retro in fact doesn't work for Retro, they work for Nintendo. Their studio is just the baggage you have to push through to collaborate with the 1st party. So you can always count on some fun games. You can look at the devs social media accounts where they list their "true" employer as Nintendo.
WAY fun working with Japanese folks and outstanding translators at Retro.
Austin is fun too.
Really does look good on a resume if you choose to continue working in games after so much crunch. Looks good on a resume even outside of the games industry. I escaped game development but other employers outside of games are still aware of Retro's prestige.
|
Creepy combination of relentless crunch and social obligation to eat provided meals that reeks of plantation slavery. Sometimes crunch for projects that are cancelled.
Save your money because devs can be laid-off if a certain part of the game doesn't appeal to people. Even though those devs did EXACTLY what they were directed to do, management doesn't take responsibility for people disliking something even if they were the ones directing its creation.
Hope you like being everyone's therapist because you can't escape their venting and landscape of unhappiness. Don't let it get to you because the same people that vent negativity the most are the same exact people that are smoking cigars networking with the managers they hate, as soon as your back is turned.
HR, on a few occasions, described the studio as a "locker room" and not comfortable for women. Seemed okay to me, but I wouldn't know beyond rumors.
A decade ago Retro's golden-age of middle-management with a spine came to an abrupt end. They left. Half way through DKCR middle-management was chosen almost at random in a mad scramble. I can only imagine that this was the beginning of the insecurities, passive-aggressiveness, jealousy, and avoidance of responsibilities.
When I started devs described upper-management as a "limp handshake and a fake smile" ... Not sure what this means but seemed important to warn others. They don't like you to call them by their last name, but with privilege comes responsibility. Another display of insecurities and avoidance of accountability which are commonplace there.
Money seems leveraged away from the team so upper-management can go spend it in Vegas. Very awkward when they want to eat lunch after that like a best buddy, yet you are very aware of the gulf of inequality or power they have over your employment.
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
The challenge of a 2nd party dev team is that they feel the need to create some illusion of middle-management. As a result my peers have had to seek therapy because they have a handful of different bosses. This is very strange, changing things back'n'forth constantly when EVEYONE knows that in two weeks Nintendo will come down and dictate the true direction. Question if creating fake management positions is really healthy for the devs that are truly creating the game world.
As always the best advice to most of management in games is to actually go play some games like research. Management are often not gamers at all and wildly disconnected from what it feels like to be a gamer. They seem baffled by the decisions that Nintendo makes, but if you're a gamer Nintendo's decisions are exactly what you'd expect.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
6.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Sep 25th, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
3D Artist
|
Nolanville, TX
|
|
I've been Wanting a job @ Retro Studios
|
|
3D artist Jobs are cool
|
Programming Hassle, just so hard
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
If you're a creator and not a programmer, 3D artist is the place for you.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Feb 7th, 2020 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
|
Austin, TX
|
|
A Studio with a Heart
|
|
The People - There are some of the most talented artists and engineers in the industry at this studio. If you want to work with the best in the industry then Retro's the place to be.
The People Again - This is a studio where you quickly become a member of the family. This studio is filled with people who care deeply about what they do and each other.
The Benefits and Perks - Retro, and Nintendo as a whole, provide fantastic benefits (free Medical/Dental/Vision), a generous 401k, Bonuses and perks (discounts on all things Nintendo, great company events).
The IP - We make legendary experiences. The studio has worked on everything from Metroid Prime to Donkey Kong.
Dedication to Quality - The commitment to quality isn't a marketing slogan at this studio. Retro's games don't ship until they're not ready. The average Metacritic score for all of Retro's titles is over 90%.
Our Japanese Partners - You get to work with some of the industries greatest producers, designers, audio engineers, etc. If you get to work here you will be star struck on occasion.
|
It's a game studio and you will work hard.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
0.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
There have been a lot of changes to the studio in the last year. All for the better. Just keep doing what you have been doing.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Dec 1st, 2019 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
Shoulda been Donkey Kong
|
|
Passion at the company is through the roof, in particular among the concept artists and barbecue chefs.
|
Low- to mid-level staffers ought to have more of a voice on projects and deadlines. Example, between 2014 and mid-2018, most people were happy working on a third Donkey Kong Country until that got shuffled over to Nintendo EAD so we could bail out another Metroid Prime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
Listen to feedback from everyone in terms of what projects we’d like to do. Add more honey barbecue offerings alongside the smokehouse and mesquite ones.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Dec 4th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
Coder
|
Columbia, TN
|
|
Retro is just not right…
|
|
-Get to work with developers
-Get to help coding a video game
-Help others with advice
-Passionate to work on Donkey Kong Country for the Wii U.
-Get to work with Nintendo
|
-Poor Communication
-4 or 3 cancelled games that was in a development cycle for Wii U.
-Some developers were rushing on a game for a Wii U title that was cancelled.
-Made terrible decisions
-Unclear direction
-Some developers were laid off for reasons
-Passive-aggressive leadership
-Poor Management
|
-1.0
|
NEGATIVE
|
0.0
|
NEUTRAL
|
-1.0
|
DISAPPROVE
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
There was a cancelled game on Switch that was in Development since 2015 but was later cancelled in September 2018. It was meant to be a racing game based on Star Fox.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
PART_TIME
|
No
|
No
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Nov 8th, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
Anyone can say anything
|
|
Great team. Decent place to work.
|
Every place has cons. This is no exception.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Jul 3rd, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
Animator
|
Austin, TX
|
|
Kelbaugh is dedicated to the company and to making stand out games. There are some amazing people that work here.
|
|
Great location if you love Austin. Competitive salary and benefits. Creative team is second to none. Allowed (or perceived) freedom to work through design issues and art solutions. Fun team that’s very collaborative.
|
Some questionable project management. Sometimes communication comes to a grinding halt and deadlines can become either unreasonable, really fluid, or completely change for the most bizarre reasons. In-house engine can be a challenge to work with.
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
POSITIVE
|
1.0
|
APPROVE
|
1.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
Start a blog for the concept art team to post their in house personal stuff. Be more communicative with over-arching goals for the company and where you want to be with your games.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
REGULAR
|
No
|
No
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
private:retrostudios-3
|
https://www.glassdoor.com?employer_id=647349
|
Jul 2nd, 2018 12:00AM
|
Open
|
Open
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|
|
Sad to leave
|
|
Retro is a nice place to work, it's very busy working on multiple games. I'm sad leave for family reasons!
|
Too many projects cooking at once, quality seems to be suffering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
3.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
647349
|
Open
|
Next time you're asked to work on 3 different racing games at once, don't say yes.
|
0.0
|
[]
|
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Apr 11th, 2021 08:46PM
|
Retro Studios
|
|
|