- Real growth opportunities — both in technical skills and compensation over time
- Senior technical team was strong and genuinely good to learn from
- Positive day-to-day atmosphere, even during a difficult period in the country
- Approachable and personable company leadership
- Generous company anniversary gifts and memorable team events
Cons
- Salary growth was limited — likely a mix of the gaming industry's typical pay ceiling and the local market
- No performance bonuses
- Some toxicity at the team lead level — a pattern not uncommon in post-Soviet IT culture, but noticeable
- Occasional sense that some individuals prioritised résumé-building projects over what was actually good for the company