**Naughty Dog’s Continuing Struggles with Crunch During Development of _Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet_**

Last year, developer Naughty Dog published a documentary that explored the creation of _The Last of Us Part II_, highlighting the studio’s issues with overwork and crunch culture. Although the documentary ended on a hopeful note implying improvements, recent reports suggest that the team is facing the same pressures while working on their forthcoming PlayStation 5 game, _Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet_.

A report from Bloomberg indicates that Naughty Dog has required overtime from its developers as they rush to complete a demo of the new sci-fi action game for Sony’s assessment. Despite the game’s launch being several years away, the company has urged employees to work at least eight additional hours weekly, monitoring these hours via an internal spreadsheet. While management has directed developers not to exceed 60 hours of work per week, the enforcement of mandatory overtime casts doubt on the studio’s work environment.

This new wave of overtime commenced in October and coincided with a return-to-office policy that mandates all staff to be present at the Santa Monica studio five days a week instead of the regular three. Employees have expressed difficulties in arranging extra childcare and pet care to meet this new obligation.

The drive for heightened productivity follows earlier claims that Naughty Dog brought on board a new group of producers specifically to address crunch concerns. However, several of these recruits have reportedly departed from the company, suggesting possible underlying issues within the studio. While some team members were able to work overtime to prepare _Intergalactic_’s debut trailer for 2024, the current overtime demands impact “most” staff members.

Management has informed employees that a return to the usual three-day work week is anticipated in January, with additional information to follow after the holiday break. In an ironic twist, to mark the ongoing development, team members received commemorative metal coins engraved with a quote from the game, symbolizing the persistent challenges faced by the developers: “The suffering of generations must be endured to achieve our divine end.”

Reports of crunch culture at Naughty Dog are not unprecedented, with the development of _The Last of Us Part II_ being especially infamous for such practices. Notably, in 2023, the studio also terminated many contractors approximately a year before the announcement of _Intergalactic_ at the 2024 Game Awards. As reports continue to emerge, the industry observes closely to see if Naughty Dog can navigate these ongoing difficulties while working on its ambitious new title.