Carlsbad’s Gaming Studios are Leveling Up its Economic Growth and Creative Culture

“Reality is just a crutch for people who can’t handle video games.” – Robin Williams 

Carlsbad might be better known for MedTech or Cleantech, but it’s no stranger to gaming either. The global video game market, valued at $217.06 billion in 2022, is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 13.4% through 2030. Carlsbad’s reputation as a place where life and professionals thrive together makes it a great location for video gaming companies to thrive. We’re also close (but not too close) to Los Angeles and we have the passionate talent pipeline that is critical for gaming studios.  

“It’s an industry that requires constant iteration, visioning and testing, and given Carlsbad’s long-rooted reputation for being a place where passions and professions can thrive together, it makes sense that gaming companies are finding success here,” said Matt Sanford, economic development director for the City of Carlsbad. “I don’t think anyone goes into the gaming industry without having a passion for it first, and we’re proud to be a place where studios and professionals can live that out.” 

To prove this point, let’s press start and meet three leading studios shaping Carlsbad’s gaming scene: WB Games, Rockstar Games and High Moon Studios. 

WB Games 

As part of Warner Bros. Discovery, a global entertainment leader, WB Games recently opened a studio located in Carlsbad Village. Surrounded by top restaurants, shopping and conveniently located near the COASTER station that connects Carlsbad to San Diego, the studio offers an exciting and attractive environment for creative professionals.  

 Manager of Art Bryce Knight notes this in a website feature: “The history, culture and people combined make Warner Bros. Games San Diego a great place to work,” he noted. “It’s still a bit surreal to be involved with the content and people that inspired me in my youth.” 

WB Games is also hiring top talent in the region, while offering a range of programs, including internships, apprenticeships and early career opportunities, ensuring the next generation of gaming professionals are ready to bring new ideas to this growing industry. | WB Recruiting website 

Rockstar Games 

Rockstar Games, synonymous with their iconic open-world games, has a rich history in Carlsbad. Founded in 1984 as Carlsbad’s Angel Studios, the company transitioned from developing television commercials to video games in the 1990s. Early hits include Nintendo’s Major League Baseball (featuring Ken Griffey Jr.), and more recently, it’s best known for the Red Dead series, as well as Midnight Club. Acquired by Take-Two Interactive in 2002 and rebranded as Rockstar San Diego, the studio continues to lead the industry in open-world gaming and solidified the company’s standing as a rockstar (pun intended) subsidiary of Rockstar Games. | Rockstar Recruiting Site  

High Moon Studios 

With over 23 years of experience and more than 20 titles to its name, High Moon Studios is another company setting the standard for innovation and creativity in Carlsbad’s gaming industry cluster. Its titles include Call of Duty, Modern Warfare, Borne Ultimatum and Transformers. With that impressive roster to their names, the following slogan from that describes its senior team seems fitting, “We’ve seen stuff. We’ve done stuff. We’re still at it.” With an award-winning team of artists, developers and storytellers, the studio has delivered unforgettable gaming experiences to audiences globally. | High Moon Recruiting Site 

As the global video game industry continues to level up, Carlsbad stands out as a favorable location for software developers, attracting major studios like WB Games, Rockstar Games and High Moon Studios. This industry is an important piece of Carlsbad’s tech ecosystem and advances our reputation as a community of powerhouse professionals who get to do what they love at work.  

The next generation of games is always loading…Stay tuned for more from Carlsbad.