Games like The Last Of Us Require Overtime

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Crunch Culture at Naughty Dog Persists Amidst ‘Intergalactic’ Development

Benson Russell, a former Naughty Dog developer who worked on titles such as Uncharted and The Last of Us, stated in an interview with KiwiTalkz that the studio’s “crunch culture”—characterized by extensive overtime—intensified after the release of Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. According to Russell, studio leadership considered this crunch necessary to maintain their standards. He added that management openly acknowledged the demanding work environment in meetings after The Last of Us. Management reportedly told employees, “We know this is tough, but if you’re not into it, we get it,” while also offering overtime compensation for those exceeding legally required hours. While overtime wasn’t mandatory, it was strongly encouraged. According to Russell, this crunch is helping the studio meet internal goals for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, with the pressure originating from Naughty Dog itself rather than Sony.

In Case You Missed It

While we’re on the topic of gaming nostalgia, you might want to check out Ahmed Hassan’s recent piece from April 13th this year. Titled “SNEG and Games Workshop Join Forces to Restore 20 Cult Warhammer Video Games,” it explores the exciting collaboration between SNEG publishing house and Games Workshop to revive over 20 classic Warhammer games for modern systems. The initiative, Warhammer Classics collection, aims to preserve these essential gaming experiences for future generations. You can dive into this retro-gaming delight right now with limited-time discounts on Steam – don’t miss out! SNEG and Games Workshop Join Forces to Restore 20 Cult Warhammer Video Games In exciting news, Ahmed has also published a piece titled “Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week Announce Partnership for Pan-African Game Jam Ahead of Lagos Games Week 2026” on the same day. This insightful article delves into the upcoming Pan-African Jam 2026, a collaborative event between Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week that aims to unite African game developers under the theme “Play Without Borders.” With cash prizes totaling $2,500 and opportunities for global recognition at Lagos Games Week 2026, this two-week virtual event is not one to miss. So why not mark your calendars and register early via the Global Game Jam website? You can find Ahmed’s piece here Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week Announce Partnership for Pan-African Game Jam Ahead of Lagos Games Week 2026. Lastly, in an era where AI-generated visuals are becoming prevalent, S-GAME’s stance is a breath of fresh air. In ‘Phantom Blade Zero Producer Refuses AI, Including DLSS 5, Altering Artists’ Intentions’ published on April 13, 2026, Jonathan Dubinski explores how the studio’s commitment to human labor and artistic integrity is setting it apart. Dive into this fascinating insight as we await Phantom Blade Zero’s release on September 9, 2026 – you can read all about it here > Phantom Blade Zero Producer Refuses AI, Including DLSS 5, Altering Artists’ Intentions.