Naughty Dog Enforces Mandatory Overtime for Upcoming Game Demo

Naughty Dog, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corp. known for hit franchises like *The Last of Us* and *Uncharted*, has mandated overtime for its employees to finalize a demo for its upcoming game, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*. This decision comes after the studio faced multiple missed deadlines and has resulted in staff working a minimum of eight extra hours per week, with a cap of 60 hours total. The overtime period lasted for seven weeks, concluding recently as the demo was completed.

CityLabNaughty Dog staff reportedly ordered to work overtime to keep Intergalactic on track for 2027 launchAV ClubNaughty Dog Orders Mandatory Overtime for Intergalactic DemoNaughty Dog Staff Reportedly Working Mandatory Overtime On Intergalactic: The Heretic ProphetReport claims Naughty Dog recently ordered employees take on "mandatory" overtimeIGN Entertainment

Beginning in late October, Naughty Dog required its developers to return to the office five days a week, an increase from the previous three-day schedule. This shift disrupted many employees' childcare and pet care arrangements. The studio's management has indicated that the in-office requirement will revert to three days a week through the end of January 2026, with a more detailed schedule for the year to be provided after the holiday break.

A report suggests that Naughty Dog has recently instructed employees to work "mandatory" overtime

The practice of "crunch," or excessive overtime, has been a longstanding issue in the video game industry, particularly at Naughty Dog. Despite previous commitments to improve work-life balance following backlash from employees and media, the studio has faced scrutiny for its demanding work culture. In 2021, Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Neil Druckmann acknowledged the studio's reputation for crunch and expressed intentions to mitigate it by hiring producers to manage workloads. However, many of these producers have since left the company, raising concerns about the sustainability of these efforts.

The Last of Us studio Naughty Dog reportedly mandated crunch to ready a demo for Intergalactic: The Heretic Profit

The recent mandatory overtime has reignited discussions about the studio's work culture. Employees have expressed worries that as development progresses toward the slated mid-2027 release of *Intergalactic*, the pressure to meet deadlines may lead to further instances of crunch. The studio's history of burnout during the development of *The Last of Us: Part II* has left many staff members apprehensive about the potential for similar experiences in the future.

Naughty Dog Orders Mandatory Overtime for Intergalactic Demo

While both Sony and Naughty Dog have declined to comment on the specifics of the overtime mandate, the studio's management has communicated plans to return to a more standard work schedule in January. The recent crunch period has been characterized by a symbolic gesture from management, where production team members received customized coins featuring a quote from the game: “The suffering of generations must be endured to achieve our divine end.” This has been interpreted by some as reflective of the current pressures within the studio.

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As Naughty Dog continues to develop *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*, the studio's approach to employee workload remains under scrutiny. With the recent enforcement of mandatory overtime, the balance between meeting production goals and maintaining employee well-being will be critical as the game approaches its anticipated release. The industry will be watching closely to see if Naughty Dog can uphold its commitments to improving work conditions while delivering on its ambitious new title.

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