Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. Frontier’s portfolio includes critically acclaimed titles such as Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Jurassic World Evolution and Jurassic World Evolution 2, plus an exciting roadmap of future releases.
Working at Frontier: With a modern studio in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK), our talented teams are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap. We are proud of our creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.
We are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits, which includes share option schemes, company bonus scheme, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events. Join us in shaping our future!
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
9
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: I've genuinely enjoyed my time here, especially the chance to work on well-known titles. As a Game Programmer, I've been able to expand my skills significantly, picking up new technologies and methodologies from experienced colleagues. The team environment is really collaborative, making it easy to learn and get support when tackling complex programming challenges in a fast-paced environment. There's a strong focus on quality in their simulation games. The hybrid work setup based in Cambridge,
Cons: While there are plenty of learning opportunities, formal career progression paths could be clearer, especially for individual contributors looking to specialize rather than manage. Sometimes, during critical development phases, the workload can get pretty intense, though this isn't constant. Communication on company-wide initiatives or changes could be more consistent across all teams in this large video game developer.
Advice to Management: Consider establishing more transparent and structured career progression frameworks, particularly for senior individual contributor roles. Also, try to streamline communication flow regarding major company decisions to ensure everyone feels consistently informed.
Show more
Pros: I really appreciate the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork here. As a Senior Producer, I've seen great synergy across our various teams
art, design, engineering
all working towards a common goal on some really engaging titles. The hybrid working setup offers fantastic flexibility, allowing me to split my time between the Cambridge office and working from home. This is a huge benefit for my work-life balance. Leadership genuinely tries to mitigate excessive crunch, especially outside of
Cons: Like any video game development company, intense periods, particularly during final production sprints or approaching release dates, can certainly impact work-life balance. While efforts are made, some weeks are definitely longer than others. Sometimes, internal communication regarding evolving project priorities could be more streamlined across departments to avoid last-minute shifts. This can occasionally lead to some frustration and a bit of rework if not managed carefully by producers.
Advice to Management: Keep prioritizing sustainable development practices to ensure employee well-being, especially for roles like Senior Producer where the pressure can be significant. Continue to refine cross-departmental communication strategies to ensure everyone is always aligned on project goals and changes.
Show more
Pros: As a Senior Tools Programmer, I've really appreciated the challenging projects and the focus on robust engineering within the development teams. The leadership team within our department is supportive, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing is common. It's a video game developer that truly values technical expertise, offering good opportunities to learn new technologies and grow your career in the competitive gaming industry in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom. The
Cons: While the work is generally engaging, project deadlines typical of the video game developer industry can sometimes lead to periods of high workload for Senior Tools Programmers, impacting work-life balance briefly. Communication around company-wide initiatives or longer-term career progression paths could also be clearer. Additionally, the approval process for certain tooling updates can occasionally feel a bit slow, adding minor friction.
Advice to Management: Keep fostering the strong technical culture and invest in continuous learning for your engineering teams, especially in the competitive gaming industry. Improving internal communication channels and transparency regarding company-wide strategy would also be beneficial for Senior Tools Programmers.
Show more
What's the day-to-day like for a Category Management role at Frontier Developments in Cambridge?
In my experience as a Category Manager at Frontier Developments, a leading UK games developer, my days involved analyzing market trends, managing product P&Ls, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. It's a role with significant accountability for driving commercial success within specific game categories.
What's the typical salary range for a QA tester at Frontier Developments in Cambridge?
Based on my experience as a QA tester at this Cambridge-based game developer, entry-level salaries are around £25k, and with a few years of experience, it can increase to £35k-£40k for mid-level roles.
What is the hiring process like at Frontier Developments for entry-level game development roles?
The hiring process for entry-level game development roles at Frontier Developments typically involves an initial application review, followed by a technical test or portfolio review, and then one or two interviews. It felt thorough but fair for a mid-size UK-based studio.
What is the work environment like at Frontier Developments for game developers?
Frontier Developments has a collaborative studio culture focused on creating ambitious simulation games. Developers often work in project teams, sharing knowledge and contributing to shared goals within the game development cycle.
What is the typical working culture like at Frontier Developments for game developers?
The working culture at Frontier Developments is generally collaborative, with a strong emphasis on teamwork among developers, artists, and designers. While it can be fast-paced, especially closer to project deadlines, there's a shared passion for creating high-quality games that fosters a dedicated atmosphere.
What is the typical work-life balance like for developers at Frontier Developments in Cambridge, UK?
Work-life balance at Frontier Developments in Cambridge can vary depending on project phase, but generally, the studio encourages a sustainable pace. While crunch periods can occur during intense development cycles, the company aims to support employees with flexible working options when possible.
What is the general working culture like at Frontier Developments, especially for artists in the UK games industry?
The culture at Frontier Developments is collaborative and focused on delivering high-quality games. There's a strong emphasis on teamwork, with artists often working closely with design and programming departments throughout the development cycle.
What is the typical working culture like at Frontier Developments for game developers?
The working culture at Frontier Developments is collaborative and focused on delivering high-quality games. Developers often work in multidisciplinary teams, contributing to projects like Elite Dangerous and Jurassic World Evolution.
UK
