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OPS · 16.08// Field · Notes
Remote game dev jobs vs on-site in 2025: salary differences, studio policies & how to spot truly remote roles. Find real work-from-anywhere positions.
The great return-to-office battle of 2024 left the game industry more divided than a Zelda timeline debate. Some studios doubled down on "collaborative creativity requires presence." Others went full remote and never looked back.
For job seekers, this created a minefield. That "remote" tag might mean anything from "work from anywhere forever" to "remote until we say otherwise" to "remote if you live within commuting distance of our office."
Let's decode what's really happening with remote game dev work in 2025.
Fully Remote Studios (no office at all):
Smaller indie studios (under 50 people)
Mobile game developers
Live service/games-as-a-service teams
Support studios (porting, co-development)
Hybrid Flexible (office optional):
Mid-size independents
Progressive AA studios
Tech-first game companies
Studios with distributed founding teams
Office-First (remote as exception):
Most AAA studios
Japanese developers
Console platform holders
Studios with mo-cap/recording facilities
Here's what those job listing terms actually mean:
"Remote" - Could mean anything. Always clarify.
"Remote (US)" - Work from anywhere in the US, but international is off the table.
"Remote - PST hours" - Translation: We'll let you work from home, but you better be online when the LA office is.
"Hybrid" - Usually means 2-3 days in office mandatory. Sometimes negotiable for exceptional candidates.
"Flexible" - Red flag. Often means "we haven't decided yet."
Let's talk numbers. The old "remote pays less" rule is evolving:
Role | SF/LA On-Site | Same Role Remote | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Senior Programmer | $150k-180k | $130k-160k | -13% to -15% |
Senior Artist | $120k-140k | $105k-125k | -11% to -13% |
Senior Designer | $130k-150k | $115k-135k | -10% to -12% |
Producer | $125k-145k | $110k-130k | -10% to -12% |
But here's the twist: factor in cost of living, and remote often wins:
Bay Area Reality Check:
Salary: $150k
After taxes: ~$100k
Rent (1BR): $36k/year
Remaining: $64k
Remote from Austin:
Salary: $130k
After taxes: ~$95k
Rent (1BR): $18k/year
Remaining: $77k
🚩 "Remote for now" - They're planning RTO
🚩 No timezone mentioned - Probably requires specific hours
🚩 "Must be willing to travel to office" - Not really remote
🚩 Remote but location-specific - Tax/legal haven't caught up
🚩 New remote policy - Might reverse under pressure
// One more thing
// Stay current
✅ "Remote-first since [pre-2020]" - They've figured it out
✅ Team across multiple timezones mentioned - Actually distributed
✅ Async communication emphasized - They understand remote work
✅ Home office stipend offered - Investing in remote success
✅ "No plans for office" - Can't do RTO without an office
Modern job platforms like ManaBoard let you filter for truly remote positions and show where team members are actually located—crucial intel for spotting fake remote jobs.
Questions to Ask:
"What percentage of the team is remote?"
"Are there any timezone restrictions?"
"How often is in-person attendance expected?"
"Are salaries location-adjusted?"
"What's your remote work tooling stack?"
Not all game dev roles remote equally:
Best for Remote:
Programming (especially backend/tools)
2D Art/Concept Art
UI/UX Design
Narrative Design
Production (with experience)
Challenging for Remote:
Technical Art (engine-specific issues)
Level Design (playtesting logistics)
Audio (studio requirements)
Junior roles (mentorship harder)
Rarely Remote:
Mo-cap work
Voice direction
Hardware engineering
Executive leadership
Career Growth: Harder to get promoted when you're not visible. Combat this by over-communicating wins and taking on visible projects.
Networking: Miss casual coffee conversations. Solution: Be intentional about virtual coffee chats and attend some industry events.
Time Zones: That 10 AM standup might be 6 AM for you. Negotiate core hours upfront.
Equipment: Your electricity, internet, and hardware. Factor these costs into salary negotiations.
Beyond the obvious (no commute, live anywhere), remote offers:
Deep focus time for complex problems
Ability to optimize your environment
Access to studios you couldn't relocate for
Often better work-life balance
Define Your Non-Negotiables: Truly remote? Specific timezone? Occasional travel okay?
Update Your Setup: Professional video/audio setup matters more than ever
Highlight Remote Experience: Any remote work, even non-gaming, counts
Use Smart Filters: Platforms like ManaBoard that understand the difference between remote and "remote"
Ask the Right Questions: Don't assume—verify during interviews
Consider Hybrid as Stepping Stone: Some flexibility beats none
The future of game development is distributed, but we're not there yet. Studios are still figuring out what works. As a job seeker, your power lies in knowing what you want and finding studios whose vision aligns with yours.
Remote game development isn't just about working in pajamas—it's about accessing opportunities regardless of geography. Choose wisely.
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