Career in Corporations vs. Indie Startups in the Gaming Industry: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose the Right Employer

The gaming industry is a dynamic and rapidly growing sector, offering a wide range of career opportunities. However, many professionals face a tough decision: should they work for a large gaming corporation or join an indie startup? Both paths have their pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your personal goals, priorities, and preferences. In this article, we will explore the key differences between these two options and provide guidance on how to make an informed career decision.

Working for a Gaming Corporation

Large companies like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Blizzard have long held leadership positions in the gaming market. Working for such corporations comes with specific features and advantages.

Pros of Working in Corporations:

Stability. Over 80% of employees in large gaming companies report stable salaries and full social benefits, according to the Game Developer Salary Survey (2023).
Access to Resources and Technology. Large corporations invest billions in technology development. For instance, in 2023, total investment in game development reached over $10 billion, according to Newzoo.
Clear Career Growth Opportunities. In large corporations, there are structured career paths. 72% of employees see a clear plan for career development, as reported by GDC.
Teamwork. The average team size in large studios is 25-50 people, which enhances collaboration and support among colleagues (IGDA).

Cons of Working in Corporations:

Limited Creativity. According to the Game Industry Career Survey, 67% of employees in large companies feel that their creative decisions are often restricted by corporate strategies.
Slow Decision-Making. In big companies, AAA game development can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years, according to Statista (2023).
High Competition. For every high-level position in large corporations, there are up to 10 candidates, making it more difficult to advance quickly (GDC, 2023).

Working for an Indie Startup

Indie startups are small teams of developers that create games with unique approaches, often with a higher degree of creative freedom. While they have fewer resources, indie studios can offer substantial creative control.

Pros of Working in Indie Startups:

Creative Freedom. 85% of indie developers report having significant influence over the development process and creative decisions, according to IGDA.
Influence on the Project. With small teams of 3-10 people, each member’s contribution is highly noticeable (Indie Game Development Survey, 2023).
Quick Results. Indie games typically have shorter development cycles, averaging 1-2 years, according to Gamasutra.
Variety of Tasks. 76% of indie developers handle multiple roles simultaneously, which fosters rapid skill development (Indie Development Study, 2023).

Cons of Working in Indie Startups:

Instability. Around 50% of indie startups shut down within their first two years due to financial difficulties or game failures, according to IGDA.
Limited Resources. The average budget for indie game development ranges from $50,000 to $200,000, much lower than that of large corporations (Gamasutra).
Increased Responsibility. 60% of indie developers face challenges in balancing multiple roles, which often leads to stress (Indie Game Developer Survey).
Fewer Career Growth Opportunities. Small teams lack structured career ladders, making vertical growth less feasible (IGDA).

At Axlebolt, we strive to combine the advantages of both large companies and the opportunities offered by working in small gaming studios. From large companies, we have adopted a clear understanding of processes and areas of responsibility, and we systematize employee development. Everyone has the opportunity to grow both horizontally and vertically.

From indie studios, we’ve taken the ability to apply skills across various tasks and projects. For example, our 3D modelers can work on designing objects of varying complexity—from small crates to large maps.

Professional development is our priority. We believe that engaged people create great games.

How to Choose the Right Employer: Corporation or Indie Startup?

When choosing between working for a large corporation or an indie startup, several key factors should be considered:

1. Define Your Priorities

Career Goals. If stability, a high salary, and a clear structure are important to you, working for a corporation might be a better fit. If you crave creative freedom and the ability to directly influence the product, an indie startup could be your ideal choice.
Type of Work. Corporations typically offer more specialized roles, while in indie startups, you may find yourself multitasking across different areas of game development.

2. Assess Your Ambitions

Professional Growth. Corporations provide structured career development paths, but in an indie startup, you might more quickly assume leadership roles and take on greater project responsibilities.
Impact on the Project. In an indie startup, your contributions are more visible and meaningful, whereas in a large company, you may feel like a cog in a larger machine.

3. Analyze the Job Market

Study market trends and in-demand skills. For instance, indie studios have been growing rapidly in recent years, with many small teams finding great success through unique ideas. However, large companies tend to offer more long-term opportunities. A 2023 Game Developers Conference study found that over 70% of employees in major gaming companies feel secure about their job stability.

4. Consider Your Lifestyle

Work-Life Balance. Corporations generally offer more predictable work schedules, allowing for a better balance between personal and professional life. In indie startups, work demands may fluctuate, especially around a game’s release.
Financial Expectations. Salaries in corporations are typically higher. In 2023, the average annual salary in large companies was around $80,000, while in indie startups it was about $50,000-60,000 (Newzoo, Gamasutra).

5. Learn from Others’ Experiences

Talk to colleagues who have worked in both corporations and indie startups. Hearing their stories will help you better understand what to expect from each path. Communities like IGDA provide platforms where developers share their career experiences and advice.

The choice between a career in a corporation and an indie startup depends on many factors: your personal ambitions, financial expectations, risk tolerance, and desire to grow within the gaming industry. Corporations offer stability, structured career paths, and access to resources, while indie startups provide creative freedom, flexibility, and faster growth potential. It’s essential to find the option that best aligns with your long-term goals and career expectations.

A career in corporations today is primarily about stability and having the budget for boot camps, investments in junior and trainee specialists. When you join such a company, you’re less likely to be left to figure everything out on your own. You’ll most likely have a mentor who will guide you through the turbulent waters of game development. On the other hand, it’s important to understand that in large companies, your area of responsibility will be quite limited. There won’t be much room for creativity and self-expression, and at first, you’ll be given rather routine tasks, relieving senior specialists for that very creativity. However, all juniors eventually become seniors. Therefore, in large companies, you have a clearer career path that helps you understand what to achieve and which skills to develop to become a senior.

In a startup, you’ll be “wearing many hats.” If you’re lucky enough to join a small studio, the chances are higher that you’ll grow horizontally, and quite quickly. You may start as a 2D artist, but at the same time take on tasks in UI/UX, 2D animation, and even tech art (implementing art in the engine). There might be more chaos in processes and less clarity about your career prospects. If the startup “takes off,” raises a round of investments, and the team starts expanding, and if you joined when there were only 4 people, you could quickly become a Team Lead and start building your own team, developing leadership skills through hands-on experience, learning from your mistakes. Startups are about rapid growth, chaos, and a lot of creativity (very often).

The choice depends on your goals regarding roles, scope of tasks, and your vision for development. If you prefer a clear system and structure, choose larger companies. If the dynamic, exciting chaos of a startup appeals to you, the choice is obvious.

In corporations, you can count on a stable salary and the opportunity to learn from industry gurus, with well-established work processes. However, be prepared for your role to be highly specialized, focusing on one task or area. This can be a plus if you’re interested in a specific niche or specialization. Another advantage of working in a corporation is the chance to work on large, often successful projects. Having renowned titles on your resume can be a significant asset for many companies. On the downside, there’s bureaucracy, which can slow processes, as well as limited influence on the product and creative decisions.

In an indie team, the situation is the opposite. You will directly impact the product, participate in developing a project from scratch, and have more freedom in decision-making across different areas. But there are also downsides: limited resources, possible overwork, the need to juggle multiple roles, and a lack of stability.