Riot Games buys next-gen consoles and gives a 10% bonus for all employees

Nicolo Laurent, CEO of Riot Games, is today handing out benefits to employees, including buying next-generation consoles for all full-time employees.

Riot employees can choose from Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch from now through 2021. Riot is also offering a one-time bonus of 10%, with an additional 2.5% for each year of service since 2017, to all full employees in 2021 on top of their regular annual bonuses to be paid out next year.

The Los Angeles-based company will also offer greater work flexibility in 2021 thanks to a new split work schedule and additional breaks throughout the year. The moves aim to reduce every hint of crunch culture and give employees some relief at a time when stress is high. The company gives employees the option to purchase a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch game console.

Riot Games has been on the mend since allegations of a sexist culture emerged in 2018. The company has focused on addressing that culture, as expressed by Chief Diversity Officer Angela Roseboro in a recent webinar we held on Dec. 9. Riot now has more than 3,000 employees.

In a blog post, Laurent said he wanted to thank Riot employees for their work in releasing new games such as Valorant and hosting the 10th annual League of Legends championships.

“I don’t want to dwell on how difficult this year has been. We all know it’s been like no other, ”Laurent wrote. “A positive point I would like to take out of this year’s hardships is that this pandemic reminded us of the importance of our way of working. While players are constantly fueling our passion to execute with excellence, we need a well-equipped, dedicated team to deliver meaningful, lasting experiences. “

Riot first gave its employees a break in August, and will repeat it next year. The company will also take a two-week break at the end of this year. In June, it held a day without meetings, and it adds a monthly non-meeting day for the future. And it will have an open paid leave and regional vacation policy.

The company said it will find a long-term balance between virtual and real-life, in-person work in the future, when it becomes possible to work in person. When that happens, Riot has three core days a week in the office, while the other two days are flex days when employees have the option to work from home.