Overview
- Benson Russell, in an interview highlighted Monday, said leaders told staff after The Last of Us that sustained overtime was what it took to make games at their level.
- He said the studio treats internal milestones like fixed ship dates, with pressure from Sony reinforcing those targets.
- Russell said managers label overtime as optional, yet extra hours influence bonuses and signal commitment.
- Coverage points to long shifts on the current project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, following reports of crunch in December.
- GamesRadar+ reported that The Last of Us Online was roughly 80% complete before being canceled to prioritize Intergalactic, a claim not independently confirmed in these reports.