Blog

Employee Retention: Keeping immersive tech talent engaged and invested

Employee retention in immersive technology is a growing challenge as demand for top talent in AR, VR and gaming continues to rise. Keeping your best people engaged isn’t just about competitive pay. It’s about fostering a culture where they feel valued, challenged and invested in the company’s future.

In our 2024 Immersive & Gaming salary survey, we revealed that 71% of respondents prioritised competitive salaries, 59% preferred remote working and 49% sought job security. A high salary is important, but stability is also a growing concern. Companies need to offer both to attract and retain top talent.

Here are five actionable employee retention strategies to ensure your immersive tech professionals stay for the long haul.

Offer opportunities for continuous learning

Immersive tech evolves rapidly, and professionals in this field thrive on staying ahead of trends. Provide access to training programs, workshops, or certifications in emerging tools and technologies like spatial computing, AI integration or new game engines.

Action Tip: Partner with industry organisations or platforms to sponsor learning initiatives, giving employees a chance to expand their skill set while contributing to your projects.

Foster creative freedom

The best immersive tech professionals are creators at heart. They want to bring their ideas to life, not just execute someone else’s vision. Encourage creativity by allowing employees to pitch innovative projects or experiment with new concepts during dedicated time slots.

Action Tip: Implement “innovation days” or hackathons where teams can collaborate on passion projects that align with company goals.

Prioritise work-life balance

The immersive tech industry is known for demanding schedules, especially in gaming. Burnout is a real threat to employee retention. In our salary survey questionnaire, respondents ranked their workload 6.4/10, with 10 being very heavy. While not extreme, this score suggests that many professionals experience a significant amount of pressure. Flexible working hours, mental health resources and a supportive culture go a long way in keeping employees happy and productive.

Action Tip: Create clear boundaries around crunch periods and offer perks like remote work options or wellness programs to support mental health.

Recognise and reward excellence

Recognition matters, especially in high-pressure fields like immersive tech. Regularly acknowledge achievements, whether through formal awards, bonuses or even simple shoutouts in team meetings.

Action Tip: Develop a structured rewards system, such as performance-based bonuses or opportunities for high-performing employees to lead exciting projects.

Showcase a clear career path

Many professionals leave roles when they feel stuck. Offering a clear path for career progression can make a huge difference. Define growth opportunities, whether it’s moving into leadership roles, exploring cross-department projects or specialising further in cutting-edge technologies.

Action Tip: Work with employees to create individualised development plans that align their career goals with the company’s direction.

Employee retention starts with the recruitment process!

Hire candidates who align with your company’s vision and values, and create a culture where they feel genuinely connected to the mission. When employees see their long-term potential within your team, they’re more likely to stay and thrive.