Poor leadership, aimless direction, and in office during a pandemic - Anonymous employee Phoenix Labs Employee Review

2.0
30 Aug 2021
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are some fantastic individuals at phoenix labs, they make the job what it is. Unfortunately none of these folks are in management/leadership positions. Given the great individuals, you can learn a lot, even about other disciplines, from those people. If you can make a strong case for yourself, you can come in at a very high salary.

Cons

Forcing employees back into office during the early days (August 2020) of a pandemic is probably one of the biggest issues. There isn't a better way to show that the company cares more about itself than it's employees than that. Leadership is some of the worst I've experienced in my career. They encourage open and honest conversations and feedback, then later use those words against you in a negative manner. At no point do they take that feedback an action in a way that is beneficial to the company and it's employees. If you want guidance and mentorship in your career, this is not the right place. With the poor leadership comes no game direction. The studio is constantly reworking aspects of their games over and over as personal opinion overrides creative direction. Games are built by committee's, and as that committee changes over the years, the game needs to be remade many times over, and never in a way that is a positive for players. The goal is not to make great games, the goal is to pull as much money from players with as little resources as possible. Making the game better is a secondary objective. Constructive Criticism and 'Negativity' of any kind is seen as a virus that must be weeded out - Even if it is delivered in a constructive, and polite way. If your feedback on something is anything other than singing praise, don't say it at all.

Explore other reviews about Phoenix Labs

5.0
7 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible hours. Great leadership and Thursday lunches

Cons

You have to figure things out on your own

4.0
15 June 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Treated everyone like the adults we are - Amazing teams and talent - Fun projects - Responsibility and power to act upon it were given - Pacing felt healthy, flexible, and still productive - The pipeline made sense

Cons

- Was hit by layoffs that felt incredibly sudden and against the company values

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