“We’re All Family Here” and Other Lies You’ll Hear Before Burnout
You finally landed an interview at a company you’ve admired for years. The logo is iconic, the projects are legendary, and the recruiter swears the “culture” is unmatched. But then…red flags start waving. Loudly.
Whether you’re a veteran or new to the industry, knowing what to watch out for in interviews, especially in the gaming world, can save you from major career regret. Here’s a look at some of the most common traps, and why they’re more serious than they seem.
1. The Salary Evasion Game
If a company can’t even disclose a salary range during the interview process, that’s not strategy, it’s disrespect. Great recruiters will tell you the budget upfront. The shady ones? They’ll ask for your expectations while refusing to reveal theirs, then act surprised when you expect fair pay for your expertise.
Why it matters:
If they’re evasive about money now, they’ll likely undervalue you later. Promises of future promotions or “earning your way up” often end in title-only raises or years of stagnation. Even if it’s your dream studio, if they won’t pay for your skill, they don’t deserve it. Selling yourself below your value is not going to make you happy long term.
2. The Return-to-Office Obsession
You’re told that being in the office is “vital for teamwork.” But when you ask how that teamwork actually functions, the answer gets blurry “that’s just how we do things.”
In reality, you’re being asked to trade autonomy, focus, and sanity for overcrowded glass boxes filled with open-floor chatter, coffee machine politics, and spontaneous podcasts about protein powders. Collaboration doesn’t require chaos.
Bonus points if they throw in:
“Don’t worry, you’ll be working with the nerdiest, most passionate team you’ve ever met!”
That’s great, unless you’re introverted, neurodivergent, or simply someone who enjoys finishing your day without an after-hours group hang.
3. The “We’re a Family” Line
This one deserves a section of its own.
“We’re all family here!” they say, with a smile that precedes unpaid overtime, weekend messages, and blurred lines between work and personal life.
Here’s a reminder:
Families love you unconditionally. Companies evaluate your worth quarterly.
If they’re going to call it a family, ask them when the company will start covering your mortgage, or contributing to your therapist bills. (Spoiler: They won’t.)
4. Accessibility Isn’t Optional
If you’re disabled, neurodivergent, or just someone who needs flexibility to do your best work, any company that refuses to accommodate remote work is waving a giant red flag. It’s not just inconsiderate, it’s exclusionary.
For example, autistic employees often thrive in quiet, focused environments. Forcing them into overstimulating, rigid office setups isn’t promoting culture, it’s engineering burnout. And no, that’s not a personal problem. That’s a leadership problem.
Final Thoughts:
These red flags aren’t minor. They signal deeper issues: control, lack of trust, and performative culture. Creativity, especially in games, thrives in freedom, not forced proximity. If a recruiter pressures you to compromise your values or lifestyle for a “seat at the table,” maybe it’s time to build your own.
Your work is not your life. And the sooner we stop treating bad office culture as the cost of admission to “cool” companies, the better this industry will be.
Playful Brain Demand 