RAVEN SOFTWARE is the developer of numerous award-winning games, including significant contributions to the blockbuster Call of Duty series.
Founded in 1990 by brothers Brian and Steve Raffel, Raven Software has gone from a five-person company with a dream of creating a role-playing game for the Amiga, to the developer of numerous award-winning games and best-selling titles, including Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and most recently being a major contributor to the Call of Duty® franchise.
At Raven, we’ve built our company on expectations. An expectation to always design the games that define industry standards for graphics and playability. An expectation that award-winning games are the norm. But more than anything, a clear understanding of our market’s expectations: that being, for us to consistently produce the games that people want to play. In other words, exactly everything we’ve been doing since 1990.
Rating Reviews
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Pros: It's genuinely exciting to work on high-profile games that millions will play. The engineering team here is full of talented, passionate individuals who are great to collaborate with. There's a good degree of autonomy in your role, and opportunities to learn new tech within the game development pipeline are plentiful. The Middleton office itself is well-equipped, and the hybrid work model offers flexibility.
Cons: Sometimes, project timelines can feel overly ambitious, leading to crunch periods, which impacts work-life balance negatively. While pay is competitive for the industry, benefits could be more robust compared to other tech sectors. Communication across departments can occasionally be a hurdle, especially during intense development cycles.
Advice to Management: Focus on clearer long-term project roadmaps and consistently evaluate workload to mitigate excessive crunch, ensuring sustainable pace for the creative and technical teams.
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Pros: It's genuinely exciting to work on titles that so many people play. The technical challenges in game development here are substantial, and there's a lot of room to learn and grow your skills, especially in areas like engine programming or gameplay systems. The collaborative spirit, particularly within my immediate team, made even long hours feel more manageable. People are passionate about what they do.
Cons: The biggest challenge is the intense crunch periods, which seem to be a reality in the AAA gaming industry. Sometimes, project scope or deadlines can feel a bit unrealistic, leading to extended working hours that impact work-life balance. Communication on broader project changes could also be more streamlined to keep everyone aligned, especially when working remotely or in a hybrid setup.
Advice to Management: Consider more proactive resource planning and clearer communication channels for project-wide updates to better manage scope and prevent burnout during crunch.
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Pros: It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to iconic game franchises that millions play. The team I worked with was filled with talented and passionate individuals who genuinely cared about making great games. The collaborative spirit within my immediate department was strong, and there were always interesting technical challenges to solve. Being part of the AAA gaming industry is a major draw.
Cons: Sometimes, communication flow between departments could be smoother, leading to occasional delays or rework. While there are learning opportunities, formal career progression paths aren't always clearly defined, which can make advancement feel a bit ad-hoc. The pressure during crunch times can be significant, impacting work-life balance, though it's a common aspect of game development.
Advice to Management: Invest more in clear, long-term career development frameworks for technical roles and explore ways to improve cross-departmental communication to minimize crunch overlap.
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What's the career growth like for a Category Manager at Raven Software, and does the team really support you?
As a Category Manager here at Raven Software, I've seen opportunities to move into senior roles within the team. The support from my colleagues in the intent and category management teams is fantastic, everyone's always willing to help each other out in this fast-paced gaming industry.
How does Raven Software foster a sense of inclusion and belonging for its diverse team in Wisconsin?
As a game developer in the gaming industry, Raven Software really prioritizes making everyone feel welcome, with initiatives that celebrate our differences and build a strong sense of community among our employees.
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