Code Meets Coast: A Look at Carlsbad’s Video Game Scene

When most people imagine Carlsbad, they picture sandy beaches and rolling ocean waves. But beyond the shoreline, our city is home to industry-leading tech companies and a sizable video game sector. We bring together creative and tech-forward talent to create the experiences of tomorrow for video game lovers.

Video games, whether played on your phone, computer or console, are part of a growing industry. The U.S. video game industry has a huge economic impact. In 2023, it supported more than 350,000 total jobs and contributed nearly $66 billion the country’s GDP. That same year, nearly four in five U.S. households were playing video games on at least one device

Carlsbad is proud to host a number of video game studios that are making their own impact. With an exceptional quality of life and access to nearby educational institutions that help develop skilled talent, Carlsbad provides an ideal environment for the video game industry to thrive.

Let’s spotlight two of the leading video game companies that call Carlsbad home:

High Moon Studios has been creating award-winning video games for over 20 years, including the well-known Call of Duty franchise. The company employs over 170 people at its studio in Carlsbad. Their location in Carlsbad allows them to create an environment where employees can truly work, live and play their best lives.

Rockstar Video Games is a video game publisher with locations around the world, including in Carlsbad. It’s known for the best-selling action-adventure franchise Grand Theft Auto, which has sold hundreds of millions of copies to gamers. Its Carlsbad studio is best known for creating the Midnight Club and Red Dead series.

Our city is more than a coastal paradise. It’s a thriving hub where talent, creativity and passion meet to form some of the most exciting advancements in the video game industry. Check out our website to learn more about why some of the top video game studios call Carlsbad home.