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Naughty Dog's Crunch Culture Faces Scrutiny Ahead of New Game

4/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Benson Russell, a former Naughty Dog designer, said the studio increasingly relied on crunch to deliver high-quality games such as The Last of Us.
Despite limits on overtime, extended hours persisted, and leadership ultimately admitted crunch was necessary.
Russell left Naughty Dog in 2015 due to crunch and limited career advancement, and the studio faces scrutiny ahead of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

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Story summary

Benson Russell, a former Naughty Dog designer, said the studio increasingly relied on crunch to deliver high-quality games such as The Last of Us.
Despite limits on overtime, extended hours persisted, and leadership ultimately admitted crunch was necessary.
Russell left Naughty Dog in 2015 due to crunch and limited career advancement, and the studio faces scrutiny ahead of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.