Cyberpunk 2077 developer hit with backlash over forced overtime reports
Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red is facing a big backlash over the always controversial topic of video game crunch.
The studio, which is also behind The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, had told its employees that it was requiring them to work overtime, specifically six days a week every week until the game's release on November 19 (Bloomberg originally reported this decision).
Known as crunch, this practice of making video game developers work overtime for extended periods of time to hit a release date is controversial due to the impact it has had on the mental and physical health of employees.
Related: The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is getting a free next-gen upgrade for Xbox Series X/S and PS5
CDPR enforcing crunch period is controversial by itself, but even more so after the studio made a point last year about how it would not do that.
Head of studio Adam Badowski took to Twitter to defend the company's latest decision and stress that its staff would be paid for their overtime, in line with Polish labour laws. "These last six weeks are our final sprint on a project we've all spent much of our lives on," he tweeted.
"Something we care for deeply. The majority of the team understands that push, especially in light of the fact we've just sent the game to cert and every day brings us visibly closer to shipping a game we want to be proud of.
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"This is one of the hardest decisions I've had to make, but everyone is well compensated for every extra hour they put in. And, like in recent years, 10% of the annual profit our company generates in 2020 will be split directly among the team."
Cyberpunk 2077 is set for release on November 19 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions have been announced for 2021, with a free upgrade for current-gen owners. A Stadia version has also been announced.
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