Remote Only Games Studio?
Sitting in traffic, huffing fumes and nervous about getting there late is so out. Stepping on your dog’s chew toy on the way to your personal office? In. Lunacy Studios is not just remote; we're a globally remote team. That means we have to navigate time zones on top of online-only interactions. But... what's it really like to make a game as a remote-only team? What's it take to be successful in our roles?
Let's be honest, scheduling time with your coworkers has always been a challenge and our Producer, Elizabeth, echoes that for remote work. We asked about frustrations and challenges in remote work, and she said she had to get used to "Sometimes having to wait until tomorrow to check on something." That's the great thing about good producers, though, as our Narrative Designer, Sarah, mentions: "our producer manages to juggle all of our locations incredibly well." Kinda have to be adept when you can't just walk to your bud’s cube anymore, right?
I get to work on my own time, from the comfort of my home, with my cats and dogs near me. It is really, really, really good for my stress level and my overall mental state! - Alice, QA
It's not all bad, I promise. Remote work as a games studio is amazing. But don't take my word for it, talk to our Animator, Ben, Environment Artist, Marcello, and Sarah! All three said the same thing... "FLEXIBILITY." Being able to work from anywhere in the world, being around pets and family, and the ability to avoid traffic are KEY to any remote studio. We have finite time every day, and being able to maximize that for work and life is paramount to a happy studio.
Build yourself a routine just as you would have working in an office. You might work from home, but home is not work. Create space (mentally or physically) to separate the two to help avoid burnout. - Micaela, Art Director
Personally, I know the temptation to work from your couch and binge Supernatural all day. (I've never seen it before, leave me alone). But no matter the temptation of Sam and Dean's hunts, we have to commit to a routine to work. Building a game doesn't happen by magic; it comes about through dedicated work. That's why, as our Art Director, Micaela says, you have to build a routine and have a space dedicated to work. Take it from our Marketing Manager, Lynn - "Take breaks and walk away. It's too easy to work forever."
All this to say, developing a game in a remote-only environment is a challenge, but a challenge with benefits. Calendars, online workspaces, constant communication, and regular meetings are keys to success. The workflow doesn’t change when you’re remote, only your location does.
