Brink developer Splash Damage has added its two cents to the ongoing “crunch period” debate, stating that prolonged overtime periods are inevitable, but that studios ought not to take them for granted. Respect is key, according to the Bromley studio.
“We constantly strive to improve production so that [crunch] isn’t a demand that we take for granted, that we assume we’re going to be able to make, and I think that’s absolutely critical,” said CEO Paul Wedgewood. “Nailing the crunch problem is a real priority for Splash Damage, and getting to a point where, when we do overtime, it’s planned in advance and we’re able to compensate people appropriately for, in an ideal world, volunteering to do additional work. That’s the ultimate ideal goal.
“All there is in the game industry is people. It’s possible to do really well, but you have to, at all times, have real respect for staff. The sign of a great company is one that has great staff retention.”
Can’t say fairer than that.
Splash Damage: we don’t take crunch for granted [Edge]
