Unlocking the Advantages of Remote Work

The shift to remote work during the pandemic has become a lasting trend, with many studios choosing to remain fully remote. Bossa Studios and FuturLab, both based in the UK with global teams, have successfully adapted to this new way of working. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz for GI Sprint, Olifiers and Adam-Smith discussed the benefits of remote work and strategies for maintaining a collaborative environment online. Adam-Smith emphasized the importance of trust and open communication, using tools like Slack and Gather to facilitate team discussions. Olifiers highlighted the need for vision alignment, which can be challenging in a remote setting, and shared methods used by Bossa to combat this, including workshopping ideas, breaking teams into groups, and utilizing virtual tools like Miro and Discord. Both studios stress the importance of using the right tools to streamline workflow and promote efficiency. Olifiers noted that remote work can have natural productivity advantages, such as reduced distractions, but also acknowledged the potential drawbacks, including the risk of misalignment and the need for careful management. Adam-Smith agreed, emphasizing the importance of collaborative meetings and giving team members the opportunity to contribute. Both studios prioritize communication, with regular meetings, surveys, and social events to foster connection among team members. They also advocate for in-person meet-ups, while being mindful of the potential challenges and ensuring that such gatherings are inclusive and beneficial for all team members.