Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Devs Speak on the Lack of Crunch - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 09 June 2021 / 1,171 Views
Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer Insomniac Games will be launching the next big PlayStation 5 exclusive, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, on Friday, June 11.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Game designer Grant Parker and Animator Lindsay Thompson revealed neither of them delt with crunch once during the development of the game. Crunch is a big topic in the gaming industry on how some developers end up working a lot of overtime leading up to the release of a game.
"I'd appreciate ppl sharing this positive. Because it's important," said Parker. "[Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart] is at 89 avg score & I can't speak for anyone on the team but myself, but I didn't crunch once. 40h weeks the whole time. It is possible to work on a great game w/o suffering.
"Something others have pointed out which is worth mentioning. I can only speak for myself. I'm a white cis straight male designer. So I'm also working with some privilege for sure.
"But overall I was very encouraged by how my managers actively pushed for me to avoid burn out."
Something others have pointed out which is worth mentioning. I can only speak for myself. I'm a white cis straight male designer. So I'm also working with some privilege for sure.
— Grant Parker (@GrantPDesign) June 8, 2021
But overall I was very encouraged by how my managers actively pushed for me to avoid burn out.
"I didn't crunch once, entire production," said Thompson. "A couple late nights here and there finishing something up, but COMPLETELY CRUNCH FREE. It is possible. Team wellness lets the creativity flow free.
"Yes, I will also add, that I speak for myself. I do believe the team as a whole did not suffer crunch and our management certainly encouraged that."
Yes, I will also add, that I speak for myself. I do believe the team as a whole did not suffer crunch and our management certainly encouraged that.
— Lindsay Thompson (@Binzimation) June 8, 2021
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will launch for the PlayStation 5 on June 11.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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If they can be this productive with little to no crunch, Insomniac clearly has great management. Hopefully Sony doesn't mess with it. If anything, they should learn from them.
Insomniac for years has been applauded for how it treats its employees and has even been named one of the best places to work in America. Only other game developer that I can imagine would have a great work environment like that would be maybe Double Fine?
That's great to hear though that there's still a game company that employees love to work at still.
Good thing... but what being cis white male have to do with crunchy?
Being treated differently based on your background can affect the type, amount, and conditions of your work.
What does it mean to "work with privilege"?
The privilege of his background as a straight white male who is less likely to be discriminated against or treated unfairly in the workplace for who he is.
"is less likely to be discriminated against"
How are we calculating these odds?
Any of the numerous studies on workplace discrimination.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6612926/
This study's data was collected via phone interview.
Perception is not always reality: how does this study verify the legitimacy of an interviewee's complaint?
Duh. Being treated differently based on ANYTHING be it looks, family or friend ties, work efficiency, etc. can affect the type, amount, and conditions of your work.
Assuming privilege because someone is a "white cis straight male designer" is an instance of being treated differently because of ones background.
Why are you jumping down my throat for explaining something that's supposedly obvious?
Did he provide any evidence that anyone on the team was treated differently? Because his post say that from what he know no one had to do crunch. If he have any evidence of discrimination in the company he needs to report it and if not solved go to court.
He doesn't need to; he's simply acknowledging the possibility.
That is then something that could be considered slander. If you don't have any evidence and say that you didn't have to do crunch because you are "privileged" you are pretty much recognizing that the company do have discriminatory policies/behavior.
It's slander to acknowledge that workplace discrimination still exists as a general concept in the United States? He explicitly says he did not witness any crunch by anyone, but does not speak for everyone. It amazes me that such an uncontroversial idea triggers you guys so much.
To acknowledge it exist as concept in USA, sure he can do that. But on that post it implies he is talking about the company he works for.
Would have been 90+ if they crunched just a little.. .. Jk
They were basically told: just release it when it's done
A chance for Naughty Dog to take notes.
Great news, crunch needs to be taken out of the industry.
