My name is David, and I am one of the founders of Noodle Cat Games. I’m thrilled to introduce our company to the game development community. After two decades as a designer at studios like Cryptic, BioWare, and nearly ten years at Epic Games, I felt it was time to embark on a new venture. I am joined by a team of experienced developers from Epic Games, PopCap, EA, and other notable companies. Together, we are dedicated to discovering better methods for creating exceptional games.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with incredible teams and contributing to games enjoyed by millions worldwide. I’ve witnessed firsthand how passion, decisive decision-making, craftsmanship, and collaboration drive success. Teams that effectively integrate player feedback and prioritize the overall player experience into their creative vision can achieve remarkable outcomes, often exceeding initial expectations.
However, despite the game industry’s significant progress in technology and creative innovation, I haven’t observed comparable advancements in our daily work practices. Our industry is notorious for demanding substantial personal sacrifices to bring a game to completion. This is often unintentional; the pressures of deadlines and the unpredictable nature of financial success can lead to a gradual accumulation of seemingly small sacrifices. I have sadly seen this relentless grind exhaust many colleagues. In a particularly heartbreaking instance, I lost a friend and mentor to heart failure at a young age, a consequence of overwork.
As a game designer, it’s striking to compare the sophisticated application of psychological principles in our game design with the lack of improvement in our work culture. While no game is flawless, I am proud of my contributions to Fortnite over the years, its numerous innovations, and the positive impact it has had on many players. This raises a crucial question: why aren’t we applying the same iterative improvement mindset to how we develop games?
Does our industry’s conventional approach actually lead to superior games? And even if it does, is the human cost justifiable? These questions constantly weigh on my mind. Earlier this year, I made the decision to leave a prestigious position at a highly respected company in the industry to seek answers to these very questions.
Noodle Cat Games does not claim to have all the answers, nor will we ever. However, we are committed to building this company with the same approach we use for designing a compelling game mechanic – through research, experimentation, patience, perseverance, and continuous iteration.
Our commitment to a better work environment is reflected in our offerings:
- Fully remote, 4-day work weeks
- Flexible working hours
- Fair and transparent compensation
- 100% employer-covered health insurance, considered among the best available plans
- Personal ownership of company-provided equipment (earned over time)
- A relatively flat organizational structure promoting individual autonomy and professional growth
We believe that fostering a healthy, creative, and collaborative culture directly enhances our ability to produce innovative games. I am confident that we can develop more creative games, at a faster pace, than the industry standard. I hope there are others who share this vision, and we are actively seeking talented and experienced developers to join us in our mission to create exceptional games while demonstrating a better way for the industry to operate.
