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Sports Games

The Guide > Electronics > Video Games > Sports Games 

Crunch culture

In the gaming industry "crunch" is a term used to describe working overtime, particularly when there is a fast-approaching deadline. Game developers commonly work 60-80, even up to 100 hours a week, typically during the months leading up to a game's release. Developers forced to crunch end up sacrificing weekends, time with their families, and their personal health in the process. Speaking up or refusing to do overtime can jeopardise current or future job opportunities. Japanese companies like Nintendo and Sega have significantly reduced crunch, but in western countries it remains a huge problem.

A former Rockstar Games employee explained, "If you're really passionate about the game and working there, and want to prioritise that over your life, it's a really great place to work. But if you want to prioritise your life, it's not."

In some cases overtime isn't paid, which has led to lawsuits. In 2006 Electronics Arts paid out US$30 million to settle two class action lawsuits that claimed the company underpaid its graphic artists and programmers for overtime. Rockstar Games settled a similar lawsuit in 2009 for US$2.75 million.
  • Learn more at   [Digital Trends]
  • Game Workers Unite is calling for the game industry to be unionized. Learn more at  [Game Workers Unite]
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Rocket League  Epic Games   USA  Criticism, some praise5
Steep  Ubisoft   FRA  Criticism, some praise5
Tony Hawk's  Activision Blizzard   USA  Criticisms6
EA Sports  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
FIFA  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
Madden NFL  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
NBA Live  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
NHL  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
Skate  Electronic Arts   USA  Criticisms6
Pro Evolution Soccer  Konami   JPN  Criticisms6
NBA 2K  Take-Two Interactive   USA  Criticisms6
WWE 2K  Take-Two Interactive   USA  Criticisms6



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