Is it possible to work from home in the game industry? I live on the East Coast USA which I feel like has a smaller local game industry compared with the west coast. I grew up in a Japanese household and would love to work for companies that have connections/Origins from Japan. It is possible for me to move to my parents house's in Japan, but I can't see myself living on the west coast.

Is It Possible?

Yes, many things are possible.

Lots of people will remote to their desktop at work from home. They will come in virtually when they are sick, or check their email in the off hours, or verify the status of a build, etc.



Better question:

Are you likely to get a game industry job on the West Coast, while maintaining your residence at the East Coast?

No.

You will either need to move, or make commuter flights to be in town during the work week.

You need to be where the game development hardware is; all the 1st party manufacturers have strict contracts that their tools and technology must be kept on site, usually in locked and secured premises. Even if you aren't on consoles, your employer will want to see your smiling face and check up on you. You will be expected to attend meetings, socialize around the office, participate in team building, and more.

It is very difficult to do all that from across the country.

Quote: I can't see myself living on the west coast.

So don't. There are game companies on the east coast. See gamedevmap.com for a list of companies.

K thanks for the response. It is possible to commute from where I would live but the living costs in Japan are alot higher and I am not sure that I could afford it on my own early on. I was thinking of living at a friends in San Francisco but since I'm still in school for a couple more years so that won't happen for a while. I'm going to try my luck with east coast companies until I feel comfortable enough to move somewhere else.