Gaming Recruitment – How smaller studios can attract top talent!
Q1 is a highly competitive time for gaming recruitment. Larger studios often dominate the space, scooping up candidates with big budgets and established names. But here’s the thing – being a smaller or mid-sized studio can actually work in your favour. By leaning into your unique advantages, you can attract the right talent without overspending. Here’s how to make it happen this Q1!
Highlight your unique studio culture
Big studios might have the budget, but they often lack the personal touch that smaller teams naturally excel at. As a close-knit, dynamic studio, you offer immersive tech professionals a chance to create and innovate in a way that feels deeply rewarding.
Why it works: Gaming and immersive tech talent often seek meaningful contributions, not just a spot on a massive production team. They crave environments where their ideas matter and their work directly impacts the final product.
How We Help: We take the time to understand your studio’s personality and highlight it during candidate outreach. Whether it’s your collaborative work environment or your passion for pushing creative boundaries, we ensure candidates see your culture as a reason to join.
Extra Tip: Share behind-the-scenes content on your social media or website – clips of brainstorming sessions, team outings or employees celebrating milestones. These moments showcase the soul of your studio.
Embrace flexibility
The gaming and immersive tech industry thrives on creativity, and creativity often thrives on flexibility. Offering remote or hybrid work options can set you apart from larger studios with rigid policies.
Why it works: Developers, designers and other tech professionals value environments that adapt to their work styles. Whether it’s the freedom to work from home or flexible hours to accommodate their best creative flow, flexibility can be a deal-breaker.
How We Help: We identify candidates who excel in flexible environments and match them with studios ready to embrace modern working trends. We also help position your flexibility as a standout feature in a competitive market.
Extra Tip: During interviews, ask candidates about their ideal work setups. Not only does this demonstrate your flexibility, but it also helps align expectations early on.
Showcase growth and learning opportunities
While massive studios might offer structured training programs, smaller studios often give team members the chance to dive into diverse projects and learn by doing. This hands-on experience is invaluable for immersive tech professionals eager to grow.
Why it works: The immersive tech and gaming industry is evolving rapidly, and talent wants to stay ahead of the curve. By showing how your studio supports upskilling – whether through mentorship, new tools, or exposure to cutting-edge projects – you can position yourself as a launchpad for career growth.
How We Help: We emphasise your commitment to employee development in candidate discussions. From highlighting past success stories to showcasing the innovative tools your team uses, we ensure potential hires see your studio as a place to thrive.
Extra Tip: Create a case study of a past team member who levelled up their skills and career while at your studio. Share this in job postings or interviews to inspire confidence in future candidates.
Get creative with perks
While you may not have the budget of a AAA studio, you can still offer perks that resonate with candidates. Think outside the box – game jam budgets, wellness programs or even extra vacation days can make a huge impact.
Why it works: Immersive tech talent often prioritizes work-life balance, creative freedom and opportunities to recharge. Personalised perks that align with these values can make your studio’s offer stand out, even against higher salary packages.
How We Help: We stay updated on what immersive tech professionals value most. From highlighting unique perks to advising on market trends, we help you craft offers that are both appealing and budget-friendly. Our annual gaming & immersive tech salary survey report reveals exactly what makes professionals tick!
Extra Tip: Survey your team to understand which perks resonate most. Use this insight to create offerings that attract new talent while keeping current employees happy.
Here for your gaming recruitment needs
With these tips, you can supercharge your hiring strategy for 2025! If you’re looking for gaming recruitment support, submit a vacancy and we’ll be in touch.
