Sony and Naughty Dog’s Overtime Tradition Revived for New Game Development

Sony and Naughty Dog have revived the long-standing tradition of mandatory overtime in the video game industry. Recent reports indicate that the renowned developers behind The Last Of Us and Uncharted series have been working tirelessly for the past seven weeks to complete an internal demo for their upcoming sci-fi action game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

According to a report by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, employees at the Santa Monica-based studio have been required to put in a minimum of eight extra hours per week since late October. To ensure compliance, Naughty Dog has mandated that staff work in-office five days a week, a significant increase from their previous schedule of three days. Overtime hours are being meticulously logged in an internal spreadsheet, leading some employees to make hurried arrangements for childcare and pet care. While Naughty Dog has set a cap of 60 hours per week, the increased workload has left some staff members struggling to balance work and personal responsibilities.

The decision to enforce overtime stems from the studio’s efforts to meet deadlines for Intergalactic, which is currently slated for a console release in mid-2027. Naughty Dog has a history of crunch periods, with some employees reportedly requiring hospitalization due to the extreme work demands. However, this marks the first time in recent years that mandatory overtime has been implemented across the majority of the studio.

Schreier’s report reveals that Naughty Dog had introduced a team of producers in 2021 with the goal of alleviating the workload on developers, following the strenuous development of The Last of Us: Part II. However, sources familiar with the situation indicate that many of these producers have since departed from the studio.

As of the latest update, most Naughty Dog employees have transitioned back to regular working hours. Management has announced that staff will once again have the option to work from home two days a week until the end of January. A detailed schedule for 2026 is expected to be presented after the holiday break, outlining the studio’s plans for the upcoming year.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet follows the story of a stranded bounty hunter unraveling the mysteries of a forgotten planet. This new title marks Naughty Dog’s first original game in some time, hinting at the pressure from Sony to deliver a successful and innovative gaming experience.