The director of Baldur’s Gate 3, Swen Vincke, recently admitted that the studio experienced crunch during the development of the game. However, his remarks lacked transparency and failed to acknowledge the full extent of the issue. While Vincke claimed that the crunch was less severe than in previous Larian games, he did not provide specific details about the working conditions or the impact on the development team. This lack of transparency raises questions about the true extent of the crunch and the effects it had on the employees.
Vincke stated that the staff were paid for the overtime they worked, implying that this compensated for the additional hours. However, simply providing financial compensation does not justify subjecting employees to long working hours and high levels of stress. The real issue with crunch is not just the lack of payment, but the toll it takes on the physical and mental well-being of the developers. By downplaying the significance of overtime and emphasizing the financial compensation, Vincke glossed over the negative impact of crunch on the team.
While Vincke highlighted that the studio utilized its global network of studios to minimize overtime and late-night work, this approach does not address the root cause of crunch. Simply distributing the workload across different time zones does not eliminate the underlying issue of excessive work demands and unrealistic deadlines. By framing this strategy as a solution to crunch, Larian Studios missed an opportunity to address the systemic problems within the industry that perpetuate these unhealthy working conditions.
Vincke attempted to justify the need for some level of crunch by emphasizing the complexity of developing a game like Baldur’s Gate 3. While it is true that game development can be complex and challenging, this should not serve as a rationale for subjecting developers to long hours and intense pressure. The implication that a certain amount of crunch is unavoidable in the industry undermines efforts to create a more sustainable and supportive work environment for game developers.
Larian Studios’ approach to crunch in the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 reflects a concerning lack of awareness and accountability. By failing to provide a clear and honest assessment of the working conditions, downplaying the negative impact of crunch, and justifying excessive work demands, the studio missed an opportunity to address the systemic issue of crunch in the video game industry. Moving forward, it is crucial for developers and studios to prioritize the well-being of their employees and implement sustainable practices that promote a healthy work-life balance.
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