The Reality of Crunch in Game Development: Baldur’s Gate 3

The director of Baldur’s Gate 3 and CEO of developers Larian has openly admitted that the studio had to endure crunch in order to complete the ambitious Dungeons & Dragons CRPG. While Swen Vincke acknowledged the presence of crunch in their development process, he emphasized that it was less prevalent compared to their previous projects like Divinity.

During a Q&A session at the Digital Dragons developer conference, Vincke clarified that the crunch at Larian was not as severe as in other studios. He mentioned that unforeseen circumstances led to overtime work, but it was compensated fairly. Unlike traditional crunch practices, Larian ensured that their employees were paid for any extra hours put into the project.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Vincke highlighted that the studio made efforts to minimize overtime by leveraging their global studios to work on the game around the clock. This strategy allowed team members to avoid late nights or weekend work, creating a more balanced work-life environment. The studio aimed to reduce the need for excessive overtime hours while acknowledging that some level of crunch was inevitable in the final stages of development.

Despite the challenges faced during the development of Baldur’s Gate 3, Vincke expressed optimism for the studio’s upcoming projects. He emphasized the importance of finding ways to eliminate crunch entirely from their future endeavors. By learning from their experiences with Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios aims to prioritize the well-being of their employees while delivering high-quality games.

The discussion around crunch in the gaming industry continues to evolve, with studios like Larian taking proactive steps to address the issue. While challenges may arise during development, it is essential for developers to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of their teams. By fostering a supportive work environment and implementing fair practices, studios can create successful games without sacrificing the health of their employees. Balancing creativity and productivity while respecting the boundaries of those involved is key to creating a sustainable future for game development.