Remote and hybrid studios

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Where the work happens

A studio can work in one office, hybrid (some people or some days in the office), or all-remote, with nobody in an office.

All-remote

GitLab: "All-remote means that each individual in an organization is empowered to work and live where they are most fulfilled." "No one, not even the executive team, meets in-person on a daily basis."

Quick check

Why does GitLab say "all"-remote?

  1. To make clear every team member is equal
  2. Because it sounds bigger
  3. Because everyone travels
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To make clear every team member is equal

GitLab: including the word "all" "makes clear that every team member is equal."

Write it down

Remote teams work across time zones, so decisions go in writing. Shard Garden's handbook answers "how do we do this?" before anyone has to wait for a meeting.

Pick the habit

Kai in Tokyo and Remy in London need to decide on a level design. What works best?

  1. A written proposal both can comment on in their own hours
  2. A call at 3 a.m. for one of them
  3. Waiting until they next meet
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A written proposal both can comment on in their own hours

Writing lets both take part without either losing sleep.

The hybrid trap

In a hybrid studio, people in the office hear decisions in the corridor and remote people miss them. Shard Garden's rule: if one person joins a meeting remotely, everyone joins from their own laptop.

Quick check

In a hybrid studio, decisions made in the corridor are fine.

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False

Remote people can't hear the corridor. Decisions go where everyone can see them.

Meet on purpose

Kai brings everyone together twice a year to plan and celebrate, not to do work that could be done online.

Money for the year

A bigger studio plans its money a year ahead.

Bolt says: Next: forecasts and runway.

Fact-checked 12 October 2026