Naughty Dog is back in hot water over workplace practices. The studio behind The Last of Us has reportedly required employees to work mandatory overtime for seven weeks straight to complete an internal demo of their upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This comes as particularly troubling news given that the game isn’t scheduled for release until mid-2027, leaving many staff members wondering what the workload will look like as the actual launch date approaches.
What Happened at Naughty Dog
According to a report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, the Santa Monica-based studio instituted a mandatory overtime policy starting in late October 2025. Staff members were required to work a minimum of eight extra hours per week and log their overtime in an internal spreadsheet. The crunch period was implemented to get the production back on track after several missed deadlines, with the goal of preparing a demo for review by Sony executives.
But the overtime wasn’t the only change. During this same period, Naughty Dog also increased its office presence requirements from three days per week to five days per week. This sudden shift forced employees to scramble for alternative childcare and pet care arrangements, adding stress on top of the already demanding work schedule.
The Broken Promises
What makes this situation particularly disappointing is that Naughty Dog had specifically taken steps to address its crunch problem. In 2021, following widespread burnout and staff departures after The Last of Us Part II launched, the studio assembled a new team of producers whose primary goal was to alleviate workload pressures on future projects. However, many of these producers have since left the company, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The studio even acknowledged its reputation in a 2024 documentary about The Last of Us Part 2, with leadership pledging that ending crunch culture was something they were actively working to eliminate. Co-president Neil Druckmann had previously stated the studio wanted to move away from its perfectionist culture that historically led to 12-hour workdays and weekend shifts.
A Pattern of Crunch Culture
This isn’t Naughty Dog’s first rodeo with crunch controversy. The studio has built an infamous reputation over the years for subjecting employees to grueling work conditions. During the development of Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us Part II, reports surfaced of developers working 12-hour days regularly, sometimes neglecting their health and personal lives to meet the studio’s exacting standards.
Former co-president Evan Wells once openly stated in 2016 that while they don’t mandate crunch, the studio specifically hires “a particular type of person who’s motivated and passionate” – essentially people who will voluntarily work excessive hours. This approach has led to significant staff turnover, particularly after major releases, with many talented developers leaving due to burnout.
Current Status and What’s Next
The mandatory overtime period has reportedly concluded for most employees as of this week, with the demo now finalized. Management has communicated that the company will return to its standard three-day-in-office requirement through the end of January 2026. Plans for the full 2026 schedule will be detailed after the new year.
However, with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet targeting a mid-2027 release, staff concerns are valid. If the team is already crunching this hard more than a year and a half before launch, what will the final stretch look like? The game represents Naughty Dog’s first venture into sci-fi territory, featuring actress Tati Gabrielle in the lead role as Jordan, a character navigating a mysterious planet in a retrofuturistic universe.
Industry Reactions
The gaming industry has been making strides to address crunch culture in recent years, with many studios publicly committing to better work-life balance. Naughty Dog’s return to mandatory overtime feels like a step backward, especially given the studio’s previous acknowledgment of the problem and stated commitment to change.
The situation has sparked discussions on social media and gaming forums, with many questioning whether Sony, as the parent company, should be doing more to ensure healthy workplace practices at its flagship studios. Some former employees have shared their experiences online, describing Naughty Dog as one of the most poorly managed studios under Sony Interactive Entertainment, citing reduced autonomy for department heads and widespread dissatisfaction with the studio’s direction.
FAQs
How long was the mandatory overtime at Naughty Dog?
The mandatory overtime period lasted seven weeks, starting in late October 2025 and concluding in mid-December 2025. Employees were required to work a minimum of eight extra hours per week during this time.
Why did Naughty Dog implement mandatory overtime?
The overtime was mandated to complete an internal demo of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for review by Sony executives. The production had fallen behind schedule after missing several deadlines.
When is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet releasing?
While no official release date has been announced, industry sources indicate the game is targeting a mid-2027 release window. This means it’s still more than a year and a half away from launch.
Has Naughty Dog had crunch problems before?
Yes, Naughty Dog has a well-documented history of crunch culture. The studio faced significant criticism during the development of Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us Part II, with reports of 12-hour workdays and mandatory weekends being common.
What happened to the producers hired to reduce crunch?
In 2021, Naughty Dog hired a new team of producers specifically to help alleviate workload pressures and reduce crunch. However, according to reports, many of these producers have already left the company.
Will employees continue working overtime in 2026?
The current mandatory overtime period has ended, and the studio will return to a three-day-in-office schedule through January 2026. A full 2026 schedule will be announced after the new year, but given the game’s 2027 target, more crunch periods are likely.
What is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet about?
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is Naughty Dog’s first sci-fi game, featuring a retrofuturistic setting where players take on the role of Jordan, a bounty hunter exploring a mysterious planet. The game explores themes of faith, religion, and isolation.
Conclusion
Naughty Dog’s return to mandatory overtime practices represents a disappointing setback for a studio that had publicly committed to changing its workplace culture. While the seven-week crunch period has ended for now, the fact that it happened at all – especially this far from the game’s release – raises serious questions about the studio’s management and priorities. As the gaming industry continues to reckon with unsustainable development practices, all eyes will be on Naughty Dog to see whether this was a temporary slip or a sign of deeper systemic issues that remain unresolved. For the talented developers working on Intergalactic, one can only hope that the studio finds a way to deliver its ambitious sci-fi vision without sacrificing the well-being of the people creating it.