In late 2007, a small group of industry veterans got together and founded a new game company in Austin, Texas. The following January, they rented a small room in temporary office space and got to work. Spirits were high and the future was bright! Naturally, things didn’t go quite as expected. Such are the humble beginnings of Panic Button.
For several years, Panic Button worked in quiet obscurity. We shipped a few low-budget titles. We made stealthy contributions to various games, big and small, under development by other studios in town. We helped Dragon Age: Origins fit in memory on consoles. We improved server stability for Star Wars: The Old Republic. We put character into the ReCore sand. We even helped Ms. Splosion Man have a blast online.
Persistence, patience, planning, work, experience, talent, and a little luck allowed Panic Button to not only survive those early years but to quietly grow. We continued to work largely behind the scenes, until…
In 2015, Panic Button began working with Psyonix. We brought Rocket League to the Microsoft Xbox One. We added 4K support to the Sony PlayStation 4 Pro version. And then, in 2016, we brought Rocket League to the Nintendo Switch.
We toured hell (via Mars) in 2017 when Panic Button brought the critically acclaimed Doom to the Nintendo Switch. This release was repeatedly described as an “impossible port”.
How could we top Doom? That would be Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Warframe on the Nintendo Switch.
Meanwhile, we’ve been incredibly busy in 2019: Hob: The Definitive Edition (Switch) Wolfenstein II: Youngblood (Switch) Doom 3 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch) Torchlight II (PS4, Xbox One, and Switch)
And wait until you see what’s next! (Hint: It’s probably not Horizon: Zero Dawn for Switch.)
Rating Reviews
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review and is evolving.
Pros: The best part of working here is definitely the people. The development team is full of smart, creative, and genuinely good people who are passionate about games. The collaborative spirit and shared goal of making amazing titles really shine through. I've had opportunities to work on challenging projects and improve my skills significantly in a supportive atmosphere.
Cons: While the work itself is rewarding, the compensation and benefits package feels a bit behind industry standards for a company of this caliber. Compared to larger AAA studios or even some other indie studios in the tech hub, the salary and benefits don't quite match the demands of the role or the cost of living. It's a trade-off for being part of a smaller, more intimate team.
Advice to Management: Consider a comprehensive review of the compensation and benefits structure to ensure it's competitive with the broader game development and tech industry. This could help retain top talent and attract new hires, especially given the high cost of living in the Bay Area.
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What's the typical salary range for a software engineer at Panic Button in Austin, Texas?
Based on my experience as a mid-level software engineer at Panic Button in Austin, the salary range can vary, but generally falls between $110k and $140k annually, depending on experience and specific role within the game development studio.
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