Crunch Time! Introduction:
In the video game industry, crunch refers to the mandatory practice of requiring employees to work overtime during the game development process. This practice is widespread in the industry and often results in workweeks ranging from 65 to 80 hours for extended periods, with no additional compensation beyond regular working hours. It is primarily employed as a cost-saving measure in the labor-intensive field of game development. However, it has detrimental effects on the health of game developers and adversely impacts the quality of their work, often leading some individuals to leave the industry temporarily or permanently. Critics argue that crunch has become normalized within the game development sector, causing harm to all those involved. A key factor contributing to the existence of crunch is the absence of unionization among game developers. Organizations like Game Workers Unite aim to address this issue by advocating for the protection of developers' labor rights.
The term "crunch time" is used when a development team is believed to be falling behind in achieving the necessary milestones to meet a game's scheduled release date. Predicting these milestones is challenging due to the complex workflow, reliance on third-party deliverables, and the subjective artistic and aesthetic demands of video game creation. Moreover, crunch time is often seen as exploitative, especially towards younger, predominantly male workers in the industry who have not had the opportunity to establish families and are eager to advance by working long hours. In some cases, the motivation for crunch may even come from individual developers who voluntarily work extra hours to ensure their product meets delivery milestones and maintains high quality, influencing their peers to do the same or avoid taking time off to avoid appearing uncommitted.
Gameplay:
The term "crunch culture" is used to describe settings within the video game development industry where crunch time is considered the norm rather than an exception. This culture prioritizes completing tasks quickly and effectively over maintaining work-life balance and personal well-being. Many of the problems associated with crunch stem from this ingrained culture, to the point where some companies proudly showcase their teams' 100-hour work weeks as a symbol of dedication to meeting game release deadlines.
Surveys conducted among game developers in the 2000s revealed that more than 60% of respondents reported working at least 46 hours per week on average, with some experiencing workweeks of 60 to 80 hours, or even 100 hours, during crunch periods. This trend continues today, with developers enduring grueling 12- to 14-hour workdays, seven days a week during crunch time. Some of the industry's biggest titles, like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption 2, have been developed under such extreme working conditions. The term "stress casualties" was coined at Bioware, where employees would disappear for months due to the overwhelming stress caused by crunch. In some cases, layoffs occurred immediately after a game's completion, leaving employees without job security.
The shift toward a microtransaction model for games, where the main game is free but additional content can be purchased, has contributed to perpetual crunch, as constant updates are required to retain player engagement.
According to a 2019 survey by the International Game Developers Association, 40% of game developers reported experiencing crunch at least once in the past year, with only 8% receiving additional compensation for their overtime hours. In the United States, computer professionals earning above a certain annual salary are exempt from overtime laws, allowing companies to require extra hours without additional pay. California is an exception, with software developers being protected by a minimum hourly wage for exemption.
Contract workers hired by game studios are also not entitled to overtime payment, and they often hope for full-time job offers or bonuses upon project completion, which are not guaranteed.
To motivate employees during crunch time, some companies provide "crunch meals" delivered to the office. After a product is delivered, employees may be allowed to take paid time off as compensation for their overtime or receive salary raises and bonuses for successfully meeting delivery milestones.
Final Words:
A study by Take This in 2019 found that 53% of game developers consider crunch time to be an expected part of their employment, partly due to their prior experiences with crunch. Some game-makers unintentionally encourage crunch by generating hype for their games through overpromising features and poor communication with audiences, leading to unrealistic expectations and deadline pressure. In some extreme cases, fans have even sent death threats to developers over delayed game releases.
Developers may also impose self-imposed crunch, driven by factors like perfectionism, a desire to see a project through to completion, camaraderie with colleagues working extra hours, and the influence of a crunch culture that highlights past successes achieved through long working hours.
Some management figures in the industry regard crunch as a "necessary evil," as keeping up with development deadlines is challenging due to the time required for essential tasks.
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