Crunch Culture at Rockstar: Has the Work Culture Really Changed?

0 • min read

Table of Contents

If you’re a fan of games like GTA V or Red Dead Redemption 2, chances are you’ve also heard the term crunch culture. It’s become a hot topic in the gaming world — and Rockstar Games has been one of the main studios at the center of the conversation.

But in 2025, the question still stands: Has Rockstar really changed its work culture, or are we still seeing the same problems with a fresh coat of paint?

Let’s dive into the messy, emotional, and very real world behind the games we love.

What Exactly Is "Crunch Culture"?

In game development, crunch refers to working extreme overtime — sometimes 60 to 100 hours a week — to meet deadlines. While the occasional late night is understandable, crunch becomes toxic when it turns into the norm. Employees may go for weeks without a proper break, miss out on personal time, and feel pressure to sacrifice their health and relationships for the sake of the product.

And at Rockstar, this culture has been under the microscope for years.

A Look Back: Rockstar’s History With Crunch

🔹 The Rockstar Spouse Letter (2010)

It all started with a now-famous letter in 2010 from the spouses of Rockstar San Diego employees. It accused the studio of pushing people too hard during the development of the first Red Dead Redemption.

Broken morale, unpaid overtime, physical stress — suddenly, gamers realized that their favorite open-world adventures came at a human cost. For many, it was the first public wake-up call that something was wrong behind the scenes.

🔹 Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Then came Red Dead Redemption 2, and things heated up again.

Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser casually mentioned that some teams had worked “100-hour weeks.” The backlash was immediate. Even though Houser clarified his comments, it sparked a bigger conversation about how Rockstar operated.

Suddenly, the glossy surface of blockbuster games didn’t feel so shiny.

The Complicated Truth: Is Perfection Worth the Pain?

Here’s the twist: RDR2 was a masterpiece.

It set new standards for storytelling and immersion. But for many of the people who worked on it, the process was exhausting and unsustainable.

Some developers say they’re proud of the game — despite the crunch. Others say no success is worth sacrificing health, family, or mental well-being.

It’s a moral and emotional dilemma that still doesn’t have a clear answer.

Rockstar Responds: Promises of Change

Following the backlash, Rockstar promised to reform its culture. And by 2020, reports started surfacing that things were genuinely improving.

What Changed?

✅ Flexible schedules were introduced
✅ Open communication was encouraged across teams
✅ Mandatory overtime was discouraged
✅ Mental health awareness became part of the conversation

Gaming journalist Jason Schreier even reported that multiple Rockstar employees confirmed the shift. Developers said they felt more respected, more balanced, and more in control of their time.

So… did it last?

Enter GTA VI: Rockstar’s Biggest Test Yet

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: GTA VI.

Arguably the most anticipated game of the decade, GTA VI will be Rockstar’s first major title released post-controversy. So, how’s it going?

Here’s What We Know So Far:

🧠 Reports say the team is taking a more thoughtful approach to planning
📉 No massive leaks of 100-hour workweeks (yet)
😐 Developers are cautiously optimistic

But there are still rumors — unconfirmed ones — that some old patterns are creeping back as deadlines get closer.

As one anonymous developer put it:

“It’s better than it used to be… but we’ll see what happens when we get close to launch.”

Why Crunch Is So Hard to Kill

Even if Rockstar is serious about changing, there are a few reasons crunch culture doesn’t just disappear overnight:

1. Perfection Is Part of the Brand

Fans expect Rockstar games to be flawless. That pressure can push teams into overdrive — whether management wants it or not.

2. Gamers Want More, Faster

Instant content updates, zero bugs, huge maps — it all takes time, and fans don’t like to wait.

3. Old Habits Die Hard

Even if the execs support change, middle management might still cling to old workflows that rely on last-minute marathons.

4. Voluntary Crunch = Silent Pressure

Some devs go above and beyond out of love for the project. But when that becomes the norm, others feel silently pressured to do the same.

5. Legacy Tools and Deadlines

Some of Rockstar’s internal tools are still dated, meaning it takes longer to achieve results. This builds up stress as launch dates loom, no matter how well-intentioned the planning may be.

Health Impacts: More Than Just Burnout

Let’s be real — we’re not just talking about being tired. Chronic crunch can lead to real, long-term health issues:

🧠 Anxiety and depression
😴 Sleep disorders
🧍‍♂️ Physical strain from long hours
❤️ High blood pressure and heart problems

A few former developers have shared anonymously that after crunching on RDR2, it took months to feel normal again — physically, mentally, and socially. Some even left the industry altogether.

Comparison With Other Studios

Rockstar isn’t the only studio with a complicated relationship with crunch. Let’s look at a few others:

🎮 CD Projekt Red (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077): Promised no crunch — then admitted to mandatory overtime before Cyberpunk launched.
🎮 Naughty Dog (The Last of Us Part II): Brilliant games, but well-documented reports of internal burnout.
🎮 Insomniac Games (Spider-Man 2): Praised recently for achieving a major AAA release with healthier work balance.

These examples show that change is possible, but it takes leadership, trust, and accountability to make it stick.

What Employees Say in 2025

While Rockstar hasn’t released official updates, employee reviews on forums and job sites give us some insight. Here are a few recurring sentiments:

“We’re not afraid to ask for help anymore.”
“Leadership is listening — at least more than before.”
“The GTA VI timeline feels reasonable… so far.”
“There's more encouragement to take time off, and it's not frowned upon anymore.”
“Remote work options have helped reduce stress.”

The mood? Hopeful, but cautious.

Why This Matters (Even If You’re Just a Gamer)

Crunch culture isn’t just Rockstar’s problem. It affects studios across the board.

And the games you play are built by people — not machines.

If Rockstar — one of the most high-profile developers — can prove that you don’t need to break your team to build a great game, others might follow. It could reshape the industry for good.

Because really, why should greatness always come at such a high cost?

The Role of Players and Social Media

Gamers have more power than they realize. With online communities, social media campaigns, and review platforms, fans can push for transparency and humane practices.

For example, when Cyberpunk 2077 launched in a buggy state after a crunch-heavy cycle, backlash was fierce. It showed that even massive studios couldn’t rely on crunch alone to guarantee success.

What Can We Do as Players?

You might not think you have influence — but you do.

💬 Be patient with delays. Great games take time.
💚 Support studios that treat teams well.
🙌 Celebrate devs, not just products.
🔄 Share and amplify developer stories.
🎯 Engage with game journalism that reports on workplace ethics.

The next time you’re waiting for GTA VI, remember: There are real people behind every frame of animation and line of code.

Let’s give them the space to create without breaking themselves.

Final Thoughts: A Studio in Transition

So, has Rockstar changed?

Yes — at least in some real and meaningful ways. But lasting change takes time, and the final verdict may not come until GTA VI hits the shelves.

Rockstar seems to be taking steps in the right direction, and for many employees, the difference is noticeable. But if the studio wants to truly leave crunch culture behind, it needs to hold firm when the pressure mounts during the final phases of production.

Ultimately, Rockstar's journey reflects the larger evolution of the gaming industry. From burnout to boundaries, from exploitation to empathy, the shift is happening — slowly, but surely.

And as fans, players, and members of this community, we can be part of the change too.

MIDNICHE