Red Dead Redemption 2 Developers Were Often Working 100 Hour Weeks

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Rockstar has released one of the most successful games of all time in Grand Theft Auto 5. They have all the money and prestige in the world to attract more talent to their studio. They also have the luxury of taking time to release their game. And yet, in spite of all of that, it seems they will drive their existing developers to inhuman working conditions in a bid to launch their game, instead of either hiring more people to spread the work load, spending some money to hire those people, or simply delaying their game.

In an interview with Vulture, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser revealed that developers working on the eagerly anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2 worked 100 hour weeks multiple times in 2018 as development on the game neared its end. To make that clear—that’s over 14 hours a day, seven days a week, spent working away on a game. Those are insane working conditions, and it’s shameful Rockstar is still doing this.

In the end, I think it will come down to game developers needing to unionize so they can stand up against poor employment practices such as these. Red Dead Redemption 2 launches for PS4 and Xbox One on October 26.



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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: https://gamingbolt.com/red-dead-redemption-2-developers-were-often-working-100-hour-weeks-rockstar-reveals

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"Red Dead Redemption 2 Developers Were Often Working 100 Hour Weeks" :: Login/Create an Account :: 7 comments

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RoopPosted:

T0P Honestly 14 hours a day doing something you love doesn't really seem like a punishment or anything, plus they probably get paid a lot
Considering you have to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day 8+14=22, only 2-3 hours to their self would drive a normal person with a family and friends insane. No matter how much someone loves something, we all need time to be ourselves.

MazePosted:

As tough as it must be, they probably just want to release the best game ever and will do anything to make it happen. Thanks to anyone working hard on really any game!

BPMPosted:

I remembered talking to an engineer whos brother was working for Rockstar in San Francisco and she was telling the hours he was working was awful. Doesn't surprise me this. Apparently Rock star are awful to work for.

SilkyPosted:

Even though it's long hours I imagine it's pretty rewarding.

coolbunny1234Posted:

It's certainly rough but the article does a poor job of relaying that the majority of those workers are choosing to stay there, as well as the fact they will be well compensated for their extra work.

T0PPosted:

Honestly 14 hours a day doing something you love doesn't really seem like a punishment or anything, plus they probably get paid a lot

lbreadsticklPosted:

What why did this article turn into some rise up bs lol. If they devs love what they do I'm sure they didn't mind doing it, I'm betting they were really, really well taken care of. Haven't even heard a complaint surface and this writer is already shaming the company lol **** off