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Multiple members of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart‘s development team have praised the production of the game, saying it was made in a “completely crunch free” environment at Insomniac Games.
The first tweet came from designer Grant Parker, who said “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.”
His comments were swiftly echoed by other members of the team including animator Lindsay Thompson, who added in a tweet of her own “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.”
Both developers made it clear they only spoke for themselves and said that they recognised their privilege, with Parker adding “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.”
In an age of increased pressure on studios to avoid crunching on games with examples such as CD Projekt Red’s reported enforced crunch on Cyberpunk 2077 late last year, it’s refreshing to see examples of a AAA studio whose members are willing to highlight examples of good management practices.
Not only that, but Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart appears to be getting rave reviews almost across the board, with our own Josh giving the game a very respectable 8/10 in our review. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is due to launch this Friday, June 11 exclusively on the PlayStation 5.
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
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
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