A December 19 report, citing an anonymous insider, claims that the Sony-owned studio is currently enforcing "mandatory overtime" to rush out a playable demo for its next title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. It doesn't sound like the "voluntary passion" of a team going the extra mile, but rather a hard requirement written into the workflow.
The source alleges that starting this October, employees have been required to work at least an additional eight hours per week, with these hours strictly logged in internal spreadsheets. As for why overtime has been suddenly "institutionalised"? The explanation was blunt: the project had missed multiple internal milestones, and the team needed to get the pacing back on track. Simply put: they were behind, and they had to catch up.
This isn't the first time Naughty Dog has been embroiled in "crunch" controversies. The Bloomberg report notes that as early as 2021—following the release of The Last of Us Part II—the studio was already dealing with employee burnout and attrition. To alleviate pressure, Naughty Dog began forming new production teams, with the specific mandate of distributing the workload of future projects so it wouldn't all fall on the same shoulders.
However, reality is often harsher than an org chart. The insider revealed that many members of those very teams meant to "reduce pressure" have already left the company. It’s a stinging detail: the buffer layer intended to absorb the stress was the first to be depleted.
Even more concerning is that this overtime didn't just start now. Reportedly, the studio previously saw long periods of crunch to finish the game's debut trailer. With the intensity ramping up again for the demo, internal voices are understandably apprehensive. If Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is indeed targeting a mid-2027 release as rumoured, will the crunch evolve into a more brutal version as the deadline approaches? No one can confidently say it won't.
Regarding working conditions, the insider also mentioned that Naughty Dog is currently requiring employees to return to the office three days a week, a policy set to last until at least the end of January. The company stated that a more detailed work plan for 2026 will be announced after the holidays. It sounds like a prelude to the next shift in rhythm—whether that shift brings relief or more tension remains to be seen.
Of course, this information comes from an anonymous insider who declined to be identified due to confidentiality agreements, and there has been no public response from Naughty Dog or Sony. From a player's perspective, it's normal to care about the work, but treating leaks as the final verdict can be misleading. Ultimately, only one thing is certain: development is moving forward, but it is by no means an easy road.
The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.
