Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart – Dev Team Members Speak on Crunch-Free Experience

Insomniac Games’ Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is out this week and stands out as one of the big triple-A exclusives for both the PlayStation 5 and the year as a whole. Speaking about the development, game designer Grant Parker said on Twitter that he “didn’t crunch once” on the project. “I can’t speak for anyone on the team but myself, but I didn’t crunch once. 40 hour weeks the whole time. It is possible to work on a great game without suffering.”

Parker said that he could “only speak for myself” but was “very encouraged” by how the studio’s management pushed for avoiding burn-out. Animator Lindsay Thompson also chimed in, noting that she hadn’t crunched once through the entire production. “A couple late nights here and there finishing something up, but COMPLETELY CRUNCH FREE. It is possible. Team wellness lets the creativity flow free.” Thompson also noted that she spoke for herself though she believed “the team as a whole did not suffer crunch and our management certainly encouraged that.”

Conversations about crunch in the video games industry remain relevant especially following controversy around the same with CD Projekt RED’s Cyberpunk 2077. As such, it will be worth noting to see how other developers – including first-party studios owned by Sony (like Naughty Dog, which has had crunch issues of its own) – will deal with the issue as current-gen development continues. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart releases on June 11th for PS5. Check out our review for the title here.

I'd appreciate ppl sharing this positive. Because it's important.#RatchetPS5 is at 89 avg score & I can't speak for anyone on the team but myself, but I didn't crunch once. 40h weeks the whole time.

It is possible to work on a great game w/o suffering.https://t.co/8GOzukf2sh

— Grant Parker (@GrantPDesign) June 8, 2021

Something others have pointed out which is worth mentioning. I can only speak for myself. I'm a white cis straight male designer. So I'm also working with some privilege for sure.
But overall I was very encouraged by how my managers actively pushed for me to avoid burn out.

— Grant Parker (@GrantPDesign) June 8, 2021

I didn't crunch once, entire production. A couple late nights here and there finishing something up, but COMPLETELY CRUNCH FREE. It is possible. Team wellness lets the creativity flow free. https://t.co/Bf9C7BQLRn

— Lindsay Thompson (@Binzimation) June 8, 2021

Yes, I will also add, that I speak for myself. I do believe the team as a whole did not suffer crunch and our management certainly encouraged that.

— Lindsay Thompson (@Binzimation) June 8, 2021