The final six months of development on Red Dead Redemption was the worst crunch period experienced in the game industry, according to former Rockstar developer Kris Roberts. Having previously tuned vehicles for the Midnight Club series, Roberts transitioned to leading the design of the cowboy epic's multiplayer modes.
Roberts argues that the intense overtime wasn't actually about making the game better. Instead, he states that the grueling schedule was designed to put on a show for executives. During this transition from Midnight Club to Rockstar's open-world western, Roberts shifted from an hourly employee to a full-time developer working extended hours under internal company designations.
Quick Facts
- Source: Former Rockstar developer Kris Roberts
- Game: Red Dead Redemption
- Key Impact: Highlights severe crunch conditions during the final six months of development