Great pay but a siloed and isolating environment - Senior Narrative Designer Santa Monica Studio Employee Review

2.0
24 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great pay and benefits. Looks great on your resume.

Cons

Extremely siloed and isolating working environment. Unpredictable management. Outdated tools. Leads are the only ones who get to make meaningful creative decisions.

Explore other reviews about Santa Monica Studio

5.0
7 Oct 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

People are nice and supportive. The team are professional. Good payment.

Cons

I can’t think of any so far

4.0
17 May 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Seemingly infinite funding, talented developers, cool projects that don't ever sacrifice quality, extremely fast iteration without attachment to things that just arent working. Might make a GOTY if you care about that at all. Mainly, a place to grow in your field imo.

Cons

Way too much outsourcing and contracting that makes iteration and communication more difficult at times. As a result also often asked to make firm design decisions when you haven't had enough time to explore those designs on paper or in engine, ends up in tons of wasted work the company makes up for with excessive manpower (or the end result just suffers). Imo honestly the epitome of how AAA can try to cram way too much into one game instead of picking one lane and staying in it. Feels kind of buttoned up and corporate not as friendly of a culture compared to the only other studio ive been at. Supposedly tons of crunch but havent reached that point in the project yet. Directors are treated like royalty/gods (e.g. Cory Barlog). Feels really competitive with ego and seeking promotion. Large teams make you feel small here unless you're a big wig.

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