The CEO of UK developer Rebellion, Jason Kingsley OBE, recently shared insights into the company’s approach to maintaining stability within its workforce. In a conversation with PC Gamer, Kingsley attributed part of Rebellion’s success in avoiding layoffs to their meticulous cost management practices.
Strategic Project Management
Kingsley emphasized the studio’s commitment to keeping projects within manageable scopes. “It would be incredibly egotistical to just say it was entirely due to our incredible skill at running a company,” he remarked. “I think there’s always a little bit of luck involved.” He elaborated on how Rebellion carefully controls its budgets, which, while substantial—amounting to millions of pounds—are not inflated to the hundreds of millions that some larger studios operate with. This careful financial stewardship allows them to create high-quality games with a reasonable expectation of profitability.
When discussing the types of games Rebellion chooses to develop, Kingsley expressed a clear preference for smaller, focused titles over sprawling, unfocused projects. “I prefer a small, really good game than a really big kind of game that isn’t focused down on what’s important for the player,” he stated. This philosophy drives the team to maintain professionalism in managing both scope and costs, often leading to the decision to scale back projects that threaten to grow too large.
Balancing Innovation and Reliability
Rebellion’s project portfolio reflects a strategic balance that contributes to its stability. Kingsley noted that approximately two-thirds of their games are sequels or established brands, while the remaining third consists of experimental or new projects. This blend not only ensures a reliable revenue stream but also fosters innovation within the company.
Highlighting the importance of job security, Kingsley remarked on the current state of the industry, where job losses have become a distressing trend. “We’ve got a responsibility to team members and staff. We don’t want to hire and fire people all the time,” he said. “We haven’t had to go in that direction, and we don’t want to go in that direction, so we’ve got to keep a balance.” This commitment to stability and responsible growth reflects Rebellion’s dedication to both its employees and the quality of the games it produces.
