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Naughty Dog Enforces Overtime for 2027 Game Demo

12/20/2025

Summary

Naughty Dog Overtime

Naughty Dog mandated overtime for its developers to complete a demo for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Since late October, staff worked at least eight extra hours weekly, totaling up to 60 hours for seven weeks.
Staff returned to the office five days a week during the crunch.
Management plans to revert to a three-day in-office schedule through January, with a 2026 plan to follow.
The game is set for mid-2027 release.

Summary

Naughty Dog Crunch

Naughty Dog, the Sony-owned studio behind The Last of Us, mandated overtime to finish a demo for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, with staff working at least eight extra hours weekly and returning to five days in the office since late October.
The crunch lasted about seven weeks to address missed deadlines.
Even after overtime ended, concerns about the studio's demanding work culture persist.
Management plans a three-day in-office schedule through January and will release a detailed 2026 schedule after the holidays.
The game is set for release in mid-2027.

History

Historical Context

Since the early 2000s, the video game industry has grappled with "crunch" culture, where developers often work excessive hours to meet deadlines. A 2014 survey revealed that 81% of developers experienced crunch, with many working over 50 hours weekly. This ongoing issue, highlighted by Electronic Arts and Naughty Dog's practices, raises concerns about developer well-being and calls for industry reforms to improve work conditions.

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Naughty Dog Overtime

Naughty Dog mandated overtime for its developers to complete a demo for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Since late October, staff worked at least eight extra hours weekly, totaling up to 60 hours for seven weeks.
Staff returned to the office five days a week during the crunch.
Management plans to revert to a three-day in-office schedule through January, with a 2026 plan to follow.
The game is set for mid-2027 release.

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