Too many cooks in the kitchen. - Artist Activision Employee Review

3.0
Feb 9, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Activision has some very well-known titles, which can be good or bad. Sequel-itis guarantees you know there's a job waiting for you next year. I haven't seen many layoffs. Decent studio autonomy and royalty structure mean every developer is different and there's not a lot of mother ship influence. Compensation is fair.

Cons

The schedules are aggressive. Putting out a game every year has turned into closer to a seven-month development cycle, but in the right studio you won't work weekends. Way too many producers where I am, and more than half are frustrated art directors and game designers. There are too many cooks in general and it slows and confuses things. Weak tool development, and overly tight purse strings in some surprising areas like office equipment.

Explore other reviews about Activision

5.0
Jul 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Love to work within gaming, office is nice, and analytics function is strong. Company events are a plus, as are perks for games and Microsoft items.

Cons

Annual layoffs, can usually expect 1,000 or more people let go across XGS with a hundred or so from Activision. Work-life balance could be better, and compensation is squarely median or a bit lower for the industry.

3.0
Jul 8, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good benefits relaxed culture unless you work on game development

Cons

too relaxed if not working directly on the game

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