We are all eager to know more of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 and above all being able to play it, but it seems that there are problems with its development due to an unpopular decision by the executives of Rockstar Games, the studio that is making the game. They asked all the developers of GTA 6 who are doing remote work to return to the office and they are afraid that this could revive the ‘crunch’.
Some days ago, Bloomberg reported that Rockstar Games is planning the “return to the office” of hundreds of developers who are doing remote work. According to executives, the game “is in the final phase of development.” This decision would aim to “increase productivity and safety.”
If they have their way, the return to the office would occur in April.
Is ‘crunch’ returning to Rockstar Games?
The news has not gone down well with the game developers themselves. Many have stated that this decision will negatively impact the team and especially those with disabilities who have found great benefits in working from home. But there are even more reasons to reject this decision.
Through their union, Rockstar workers have expressed that they fear that being required to go to the office will mean «the return of ‘crunch’ practices to the company». The ‘crunch’ is the obligation by direct or indirect order of your superiors to stay working in the offices until late at night. Depending on the country in which it occurs, these overtime hours may not be paid.
In the past, Rockstar has been one of the most criticized video game studios for resorting to ‘crunch’, leading to several scandals. The most recent occurred during the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2because it came to light that developers worked up to 100 hours a week.
We hope that Rockstar workers can negotiate that remote work be maintained and that GTA 6 be a great game without having to kill yourself with hours of crunch to finish it.
