Checkpoint

19 May 2018

Checkpoint Intimates: The Crunch Conversation

Video Games

Checkpoint Intimates is a weekly podcast where two members of the team go one-on-one on a topic that they both feel strongly about, talking in a more deeper and, yes, intimate context.

This week, Elliot and Edith are on board to discuss “crunch culture” and what that means for video game developers. Crunch time for game development refers to when there are deadlines during game creation due to budgetary restraints or release dates, and what that often means is development teams have to spend additional long hours finishing off their product.

This can mean additional pressure and expectations, causing side effects such as mental health and physical health repercussions, not seeing family, destroying marriages and overworked & underpaid employees. We talk about how it is so widespread, why it exists and why it can be so damaging, with real world examples of the impacts it can cause on a person. When a game is due out, publishers and fans are desperate to play it… but what does that mean for those who are working on it? When does crunch culture go too far?

For all the latest updates as always, head to our official website at checkpointgaming.net.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:09 — 14.8MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | Deezer | RSS

26 Feb 2026

Pokémon’s 30th anniversary

Games & Hobbies, Other Games, Tech News, Technology, Video Games

Join Elliot, Luke, Edie, and James in this episode of Checkpoint on JOY where they celebrate Pokémon's 30th anniversary.   Catch the ...

24 Feb 2026

Up To Date: Phil Spencer retires from Xbox

Games & Hobbies, Other Games, Tech News, Technology, Video Games

Join Elliot, Luke, Edie, and James in this episode of Checkpoint on JOY where they talk about Phil Spencer retiring ...

19 Feb 2026

Couples gaming

Games & Hobbies, Other Games, Tech News, Technology, Video Games

Join Luke, Charlie, Edie, and Bree in this episode of Checkpoint on JOY where they talk about couples gaming. Catch the ...