Terrible. Run by a bunch of rude, self-centered amateurs. - Anonymous employee Z2 Employee Review

1.0
Aug 14, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Like any cruddy company, there are some good co workers. They don't seem to care if you print personal stuff on the printers. They have running water and toilets that work ... most of the time. A few are really good at fake-smiling at you.

Cons

The other reviews that mention the cliquish, core group that treats outsiders rudely and with no respect are accurate. Very accurate. Most of the management seems to have come from the dev side of their older success, and in typical Peter Principal fashion, they've all been promoted to their level of incompetence. Their biggest mistake was selling out to King (which then sold out to Activision, OOPS!) Now, the rookie cloddishness of their shoddy tech, inability to communicate with and manage people, and no real understanding of game design or marketing at a leadership level will be on full display to people with actual experience in running game studios. The August 2016 layoffs were handled very clumsily and were no surprise at all. After Activision cancelled the game they were developing we mostly sat around doing, and I quote a manager, "busy work" Then the public statement said they were "removing some support functions" I guess the people who actually build the game are "support" now. To conclude, there are two types of people who work in the game industry, those that TALK about making games, and those that actually BUILD games. The people that were laid off are in the second group, the people that run this place are in the first.

Explore other reviews about Z2

5.0
Mar 7, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, great team, great projects.

Cons

None. good place to work.

4.0
Oct 27, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I worked at Z2 for nearly 2 years, and I feel like I should add my two cents here. First of all, this is a highly competitive industry, and there is an expectation of competency and passion at this company. If you are good at your job, not a slacker, and you have a passion for the business of making mobile games; this is a great company to work for. I had a generally good experience in my time at the company. I noticed some of the reviews on this site are singling out specific execs and attacking them personally. However, my experience with management, such as Lou Fasulo (CEO), was not at all like what I read from those reviews. I found him to be determined to make Z2 a great company. Every company has its growing pains, and there will always be those who feel personally targeted by big business decisions, such as downsizing or canceling a title-in-development -- but again, I feel like I was always treated fairly and honestly by upper management in my time there. Take it for what it's worth.

Cons

Relatively demanding game-development environment is not for everyone; and can sometimes make work/life balance difficult to maintain. Occasional growing pains.

4
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