Hi, I just received a verbal offer for a group that is part of a game (i.e., not a centralized team). I expect their official offer to be lower than others, and I am OK with that given what feels like a great team to learn from and relative stability for the next few years. I also think there is a good chance that I will get a FAANG offer this week too. The FAANG role is less scope and responsibility, although it will probably be 2x in TC. Both roles are leadership positions. I don't know what the vibe is like at Riot right now. Do you feel relatively safe? Have you noticed weird changes in the past three to six months? Is it still WFH, or are people returning to the office? What would you want to know before walking in and managing a team there? Thank you for any guidance! Current TC: 0
My $0.02: Riot is quite stable. Games tends to do well even in downturns and they have multiple games that are generating revenue now. Some risk due to Chinese ownership. They’ve had cultural upheavals but by now that should be behind them so low risk of going toxic. TC should be on higher end of games but lower than big tech corps. Equity / bonus isn’t the typical RSU model, so do your homework when assigning a value to them. Interview process is notoriously long and slow to decide, so congratulations for getting to this point!
There will always be exploitations in every industry where people care about the vision/product. Expect sub par pay and not the best WLB.
For what it’s worth, I’ve worked in games and tech and Riot has offered the best WLB so far. I’m not making FAANG money, but as a parent that balance makes up the difference for me.
All of Riot goes on a 1 week break during summer and 2 week break around Christmas, comes in very clutch for my plans.
It is as safe as it gets. Pretty chill. Decent pay. Good wlb. Top notch talent. Riot is slowing down hiring though so if you have an offer it might be a good opportunity to jump on now
Can you say more about “slowing down hiring”?
The talent is not top notch not even close lol
Thank you! This sounds great. Now I just need the written offer. The recruiter said it would happen by yesterday but nothing yet. I know, patience…
Congratulations! Did you get your written offer yet? How long did you have to wait between onsite and verbal offer?
Not op, but for one data point: it took me exactly one week to get verbal offer. 2 business days later I had a written offer
Similar timing for me although it took a couple of extra days for the written.
Negotiate hard, Riot has the money. Do NOT let them lowball you.
Yea, it’s pretty formulaic these days to ensure fairness internally. You can negotiate sign on bonus.
Don’t listen to the above posters. If you’re an engineer and have FAANG offer ask for what you’re worth. Riot makes billions of dollars.
I get paid decently. Ask for the range. FAANG pays a band higher. But the difference shouldn’t be 2x
Thanks all for the tips. The range was provided, and it is more competitive than I expected. I’m waiting on an updated offer, and unless something drastic happens, it’s a no brainer for me to choose Riot due to LA, the team size, scope, and breadth. I’m hesitant to share more informative details until everything is signed, however.
Riot has been chill so far. But goals for 2023 and beyond will likely change that.
What do you mean by this?
Riot games has been for over a decade a 1 game company. Valorant launched during the pandemic. The goals for current live games is higher for 2023 by a lot, compared to other years. I expect some attrition as the company starts to move faster than the previous decade.
What is the current Remote Work policy? Is it possible to get full Remote for any positions?
Not unless you have been at the company for a while (years) and you’re proven yourself as a distinguished member, and also have a sr role. It’s case by case and very very very sporadic. Almost like a myth. But they do exist. I know nobody that got remote as a new team member.
Remote was not an option for me.
never join game dev industry if you care remotely about TC