Unlocking the Advantages of Remote Work

The shift to remote work during the pandemic has become a permanent fixture for many studios, including Bossa Studios and FuturLab. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Bossa co-founder and CEO Henrique Olifiers and FuturLab head of production Toby Adam-Smith discussed the benefits and challenges of working remotely. Adam-Smith noted that in an office setting, it's easier to notice small details and provide feedback, but with the right tools and open communication channels like Slack and Gather, teams can replicate this collaborative environment online. Trust and empowerment are crucial in remote work, as employees need to understand the shared vision and goals to deliver results. Olifiers highlighted the importance of workshopping ideas, breaking teams into groups, and using project tracking apps like Jira to streamline workflows. He also emphasized the need for regular in-person meetups to foster strategic discussions, creative direction, and team bonding. Meanwhile, Adam-Smith stressed the importance of creating opportunities for team members to contribute and feel heard, especially in larger virtual meetings. Both experts agreed that communication is key to unlocking productivity and efficiency in a remote setup, and that studios should be open to new approaches and feedback from their teams.