IGDA Split Over "Crunch Time" Development

LingNoi writes "Arguments between members of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have been red hot over recent controversy because of a 'Studio Heads on the Hotseat' panel video (skip to 21:00). The fighting started when IGDA board members (that also happen to be studio executives) which were taking part in the discussions made clear their favor for 'crunch time,' a method of doing overtime on a game to make very tight deadlines. It has been seen as hypocritical that an organization whose goal is to create a better quality of life for developers is led by studio executives who are happy to overwork employees. The IGDA released a response which didn't take sides on the issue."

Comments

Re:From a developer's perspective

[Anonymous Coward]

As a developer with over a decade of experience in several studios ranging from a small startup to one of largest developers out there, I can tell you crunch is avoidable. In fact the best project I've worked on was completely devoid of any significant overtime whatsoever (the only overtime was due to some misinterpreted TCRs during finaling). It was quite an eyeopener coming from a 7 days a week, 16 hours minimum a day studio.

The biggest difference between no overtime and no life, was a highly experienced team of SEs, artists and capable managers that understood the meaning of scoping vs a bunch of junior (SEs / artists) with unmatched egos and management that deferred all decisions and day-to-day processes to the same junior SEs/artists.

I know it's a rare thing, but there was at least one studio out there where the crunch was beaten.

Re:Cramming and the art of innovation

[Red Flayer]

No one ever sat down, planned out a beautiful piece of art, then executed it according to plan. At least nothing worthy of the name art.

Are you sure about that?

Do you consider the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to be a beautiful piece of art?

What about the Cathedral de Notre Dame?

What about tapestries?

Video games aren't like small paintings or music. The big game studios aren't making "art" completed during inspritation fugues, they are making a large commercial products that may be based on inspiration. This requires lots of mind-numbing repetitive work.

Do you think an heirloom furniture maker works only in bouts of inspiration? No... they drudge at sanding and all the other little bits required for the finished product. Almost all the inspiration comes at the design phase.