What Happened To Naughty Dog?

Summary

The video delves into the crunch culture at Naughty Dog, focusing on the internal pressures and struggles faced during the development of their upcoming game 'Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' Despite efforts to address crunch following previous controversies with 'The Last of Us Part II,' the studio once again subjected its staff to months of unpaid overtime to meet demo deadlines. The video highlights how this cycle of intense pressure, missed deadlines, and staff attrition continues to plague the company, raising concerns about the future of 'Intergalactic' and the sustainability of Naughty Dog's work culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Naughty Dog's new game, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*, has faced significant internal pressure and crunch to meet demo deadlines, despite a long development timeline.
• 😀 The studio has a history of crunching, with reports of severe overtime during the development of *The Last of Us Part II* and *Uncharted 4*, going back to 2016.
• 😀 Despite promises to address crunch culture, recent reports reveal that Naughty Dog staff were again pushed into mandatory overtime for an internal demo in late 2025.
• 😀 The crunch period involved at least 8 extra hours of work per week, overriding the studio's previous 3-day-per-week in-office policy.
• 😀 This crunch occurred even though the full *Intergalactic* game isn't expected to release until 2027, with some worrying about future deadlines causing more crunch.
• 😀 Leadership at Naughty Dog, including Neil Duckman, has been criticized for not implementing long-term solutions to prevent crunch and staff burnout.
• 😀 Jason Schreier's reporting cites multiple missed deadlines, and the crunch was an attempt to get the production back on track after these delays.
• 😀 PlayStation has increased scrutiny and efficiency measures at Naughty Dog, causing further pressure on the studio to deliver results or face the risk of cancellation.
• 😀 Reports suggest that the internal demo was crucial for securing funding and meeting milestone reviews, with missed deadlines suggesting deeper issues within the development process.
• 😀 Despite their past struggles with crunch, Naughty Dog continues to rely on it as a way to meet tight deadlines, even if it harms team efficiency and morale.
• 😀 Naughty Dog's studio leadership has changed, with Neil Duckman returning after a period working on *The Last of Us* TV series, raising concerns about whether his return triggered the recent crunch.
• 😀 Crunch culture at Naughty Dog is not just a result of poor planning but is also seen as a default solution when production problems arise, which has led to significant staff attrition over the years.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script regarding Naughty Dog's internal culture?

The script focuses on Naughty Dog’s ongoing use of 'crunch' culture, where staff are forced to work excessive overtime, often unpaid, in order to meet project deadlines. Despite claims from leadership that they are working to improve this, reports indicate that crunch is still happening, particularly during the development of *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*.

What is the significance of the 'Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet' demo in the script?

The *Intergalactic* demo is significant because it highlights the continued use of crunch at Naughty Dog. Staff were reportedly forced to work additional overtime to complete an internal demo, despite the game not being slated for release until 2027. This raises concerns about the studio's work culture and the long-term impact on its employees.

What does the term 'crunch' refer to in the video game industry?

'Crunch' refers to periods of intense, often unpaid overtime where employees are expected to work long hours—sometimes 60 hours or more a week—to meet tight deadlines, usually before a game’s release. It’s a well-known issue in the gaming industry, particularly at studios with high-profile releases.

How does the script portray the relationship between Naughty Dog's leadership and crunch culture?

The script suggests that Naughty Dog's leadership, particularly Neil Druckmann, plays a central role in perpetuating crunch culture. Despite public statements promising reforms, leadership seems to allow or even encourage crunch when internal pressure mounts, such as when multiple deadlines are missed during development.

What role did Jason Schreier play in shedding light on Naughty Dog's crunch culture?

Jason Schreier, a journalist for Bloomberg, has been instrumental in exposing Naughty Dog's crunch culture. He reported on the severe overtime conditions during the development of *The Last of Us Part II* and *Uncharted 4*, and his recent coverage on *Intergalactic* reveals that crunch is still a significant issue at the studio.

What is the apparent contradiction in Naughty Dog’s statements about crunch?

Naughty Dog has publicly claimed that they were working to improve the crunch culture, particularly after the backlash surrounding *The Last of Us Part II*. However, the script reveals that despite these promises, crunch continues to happen at the studio, as seen in the intense overtime required to finish the *Intergalactic* demo in late 2025.

Why did Naughty Dog staff reportedly have to work excessive overtime for the *Intergalactic* demo?

The overtime for the *Intergalactic* demo was driven by internal pressures and missed deadlines. The demo was crucial for securing future funding from PlayStation, and Naughty Dog had fallen behind schedule. Staff were required to work additional hours to meet the demo deadline, even though the game itself is not expected to release until mid-2027.

How does PlayStation’s increasing oversight impact Naughty Dog’s development process?

PlayStation’s increased oversight, driven by a desire for more operational rigor and efficiency, seems to be putting additional pressure on Naughty Dog. This pressure may be contributing to the studio's reliance on crunch as a solution to missed deadlines and production delays, which could ultimately harm staff morale and productivity.

What concerns are raised about the future of *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*?

There are significant concerns about the future of *Intergalactic* due to the ongoing crunch at Naughty Dog. The script suggests that if the studio is unable to meet internal milestones without relying on overtime, there may be further delays or issues with the game's development, making its 2027 release date seem increasingly unlikely.

What is the 'Workers' Choice Award for Worst Crunch Culture,' and how is it connected to Naughty Dog?

The 'Workers' Choice Award for Worst Crunch Culture' is an award given to companies with the worst reputations for employee exploitation and overtime practices. Naughty Dog received this inaugural award at the CWA (Communications Workers of America) union-hosted Avacice Awards, signaling the studio’s continued struggle with its crunch culture despite its industry reputation.