Abstract :
[en] The issue of working conditions in the video game industry, and more specifically of "crunch" —periods of mandatory overtime required to meet production deadlines—, has in recent years been extensively highlighted by the gaming press and studied by academic scholars (Cote & Harris, 2021). Investigative journalist Jason Schreier, for example, became well-known primarily through his coverage of this topic (2018). The term has thus become a recurring feature within the media agenda, to the extent that development studios now incorporate it into their communication strategies—either assuring audiences they do not engage in crunch practices (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Ubisoft), or openly acknowledging it (Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt).
This contribution examines how the revelation of crunch practices transforms the communication between developers and their communities (including journalists), with a focus on the strategies studios adopt to rebuild trust and balance accountability with public relations. This paper addresses the question: How have revelations of crunch practices reshaped communication strategies between video game developers and their communities?
The study aims to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the role of community-driven discourse in external communication by game development companies (McDaniel & Daer, 2016 ; Möller, 2020). Building on Consalvo’s concept of paratexts (2007), this paper will highlight how community and journalistic responses to crunch create a specific type of paratext, including social media discussions on social platforms such as Reddit.
Methodologically, this study employs a mixed-methods approach. A qualitative discourse analysis of developer statements and social media interactions before and after major crunch-related disclosures will reveal shifts in communication style and tone. We will focus on three major cases of game studios known for their crunch culture : Detroit:Become Human (Quantic Dream, 2018), Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar Games, 2018) and Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red, 2020) This analysis will be complemented by unstructured interviews (Fontana and Frey, 2005) - conducted during my PhD - with journalists who investigated crunch during the creation of these games and talked with developers. In an industry dominated by a culture of secrecy (O’Donnel, 2014), these journalists are an integral part of the gaming community, serving as the conduit through which players can uncover the often-problematic processes behind video game production.
Through this case study, the chapter will demonstrate that revelations about crunch practices do not necessarily lead to improved working conditions. Some studios deny facts grounded in hundreds of testimonies, while others openly acknowledge and continue to enforce overtime practices without significant changes. This evolving dialogue between developers and fans exemplifies the broader cultural shift toward ethical labor practices and corporate responsibility, which has begun to influence game design and player expectations. The study will contribute to existing scholarship on game communities as “assemblages” (Mukherjee, 2015) that influence not only gameplay but also the surrounding culture of production and consumption. Specifically, it will explore how community responses to crunch impact the ways developers approach transparency and ethics (Denoo et al., 2024). By examining this question, the study will analyze the interplay between community dynamics and the ethical pressures reshaping the game development landscape.
