Comparing job offers in games

The money

• Fixed pay per year

• Variable pay: how much, how it is decided, how often it is paid

• Joining bonus, and whether you must pay it back if you leave early

• Salary review date

• ESOPs: how many, the vesting schedule, and what happens if you leave

Benefits (ask for numbers)

• Health insurance cover amount

• Who is covered: you, spouse, children, parents

• Paid leave days per year

• Learning budget

• Equipment: do they give you a laptop?

• Remote or hybrid rules, in writing

The job

• Job title and level in writing

• Who you report to

• Team size

• What you will own in the first 6 months

• Probation period, and your notice period after joining

Contract roles only

• Are you a fixed-term employee, a consultant, or employed by a staffing firm?

• Contract length and renewal terms

• Chance of converting to full time, and when that is decided

• Leave and insurance. Under the labour codes in force since 21 November 2025, fixed-term employees on the company's payroll are meant to get the same benefits as permanent staff, and gratuity after one year. Consultant contracts usually include neither. This is general information and not legal advice.

• Payment schedule and TDS

Benchmarks from our 2026 data

• Median hike people asked for on our calls: 34%

• Health insurance from work: 71% at large studios, 48% at mid-size, 27% at startups

• Cover below ₹5 lakh: 38% of people who have insurance

Before you accept

• Get everything in the offer letter

• Do not accept an offer you do not plan to join

• If you get a counter offer, tell your recruiter early