Crunch (video games)

Crunch has become a buzzword in the video game industry in recent years. It is a practice that is long standing in the industry, but one that is reaching epidemic levels as developers struggle to meet the demands of publishing games on tight schedules.

In a nutshell, crunch refers to the practice of working extended overtime hours, sometimes for multiple weeks or even months, to ensure that a game is ready for release on time. Developers may work 12 to 18-hour days, seven days a week, with little time for anything else including sleep, family or leisure activities. Crunch is particularly common in the months leading up to a game’s release when developers are often putting in extra hours to polish the final product.

In recent years, crunch has become a hot topic in the industry, with some suggesting that it is the silent killer of the industry. Developers have reported working as many as 100-hour work weeks in the run-up to a game’s release. The effects of crunch are felt not only by the developers themselves but by gamers too. While the expectations on developers to produce high-quality games on tight schedules have always existed, advances in technology have made game development more complex, which only increases the demands on developers.

There are several reasons why crunch is so prevalent in the industry, the first being the very nature of game development. Games are complex beasts, with multiple teams working on different aspects of the game concurrently. A delay or problem with a single task can have a knock-on effect that slows down other teams’ work. This can lead to a cascading effect that ultimately delays a game’s release. As such, developers often find themselves under immense pressure to make sure that everything is perfect.

Secondly, video game publishers are increasingly focused on monetization, meaning that game development has to be quick and efficient. This is particularly true for games with a live-service element, where there is a constant stream of post-launch content. To keep players engaged, developers have to create content at a fast pace, which can be challenging without the use of crunch.

So, what are the consequences of crunch? For starters, it has a significant impact on the well-being of developers. Extended periods of work can lead to fatigue, burnout, and mental health issues. In some extreme cases, crunch has even led to the loss of lives, with some reports linking it to suicides. Not only does it affect developers’ health and well-being, but it also impacts their productivity and creativity. Tired and burnt-out developers are unlikely to produce their best work, which can have knock-on effects on the game’s quality.

Crunch can also impact the quality of games. Developers may have to take shortcuts to get the game out on time, resulting in bugs and glitches which can affect the game’s playability. In some cases, incomplete games have been released to meet deadlines, leading to widespread backlash from players.

The issue of crunch has led to calls for developers to be treated better. Some studios have made efforts to reduce crunch, such as increasing staffing levels to ease the workload or implementing more flexible working arrangements. The industry also needs to change its expectations around game development timelines. Video game publishers have to accept that game development is a long process that requires time, resources, and patience. Rushing games out the door only leads to disappointment, not only for developers but for gamers as well.

In conclusion, crunch has become the norm in the video game industry, with many developers struggling to cope with the demands placed upon them by publishers. The negative consequences of crunch are felt not only by developers but by gamers too. It is time for the industry to address its expectations and start treating developers better. A change in attitude may be the only way to ensure that gamers receive high-quality games that are a true reflection of the time, effort and passion that went into their creation.