MachineGames requesting more employees to transition to full-time in-office roles

MachineGames, the developer known for Indiana Jones and Wolfenstein, is increasingly shifting towards a full-time office presence, as mentioned by studio director Jerk Gustafsson to GamesIndustry.biz. The studio has asked its senior employees to work five days a week from the office.

Previously, the company implemented a three-day in-office and two-day remote hybrid system during the pandemic, but now requires senior team members to be present in the office all week. According to Gustafsson, "We begin with leadership, there's a necessity for our leaders to be in office five days, as this generally encourages others to do the same."

Gustafsson believes that working from the office boosts efficiency and collaboration, leading to improvements in operations. Consequently, a new office has been opened in northern Sweden to support employees in that region.

These remarks come amid Ubisoft's announcement for a full-time return to office to enhance performance and ongoing restructuring efforts, although Gustafsson did not remark on Ubisoft's policy. He did note that in Sweden, shorter commute times make the requirement less stringent than in countries like the United States. Other companies like EA, Rockstar, and Two Point Studios have also implemented various return-to-office policies.

At MachineGames, the in-office approach strengthens their flat organizational structure and encourages interdisciplinary interaction, fostering a "culture of dialogue and discussions" crucial for game development. Gustafsson states that this environment makes it easier for everyone to share ideas and feedback.

Contrasting with MachineGames' policy, FuturLab, the creator of PowerWash Simulator, with CEO Kirsty Rigden, has embraced remote work, emphasizing it fosters connectivity, despite stating the challenges of maintaining a constant sense of community among remote teams.

Previously, MachineGames' design director Jens Andersson discussed the process behind their game developments at Develop:Brighton. The studio has yet to announce its forthcoming project.

For a more in-depth discussion, you can read our full interview with Jerk Gustafsson here.