Pros
Pocket Gems is a place filled with exceptionally smart and dedicated people. You will get to work with incredible artists, engineers, designers, and PMs and there is a ton to learn from simply working through projects with these people. And you get to work on products that are played by millions of people. The perks are in line with what you expect from most startups - onsite lunch/dinner, decent 401k options, personal development opportunities (GDC, learning reimbursements), and a monthly budget to expense toward playing games. Culturally, the people are genuine, and care a lot, and there is very little politics compared to other places I've worked at or heard of. The management genuinely seems interested in building a long lasting company, and so do many of the employees.
Cons
It's a hard working place. Hours can be longer when it's crunch time, and while the company has made strides in decreasing how often this happens, it's a reality of startups. It's also a hit driven business, and while Pocket Gems has been managed well and has plenty of cash, it can be draining to deal with the ups and downs. Another area of improvement is more clarity on career progression and levels across all functions - this is happening but it still needs work. Like most startups, people management and career development needs to catch up as the company grows. Despite all of this, it's a place where working hard can be very rewarding, and if you want to work on entertainment products, it is very hard to beat.
