Crunch within video game development: towards a definition based on a scoping review

In the digital games industry, crunch or crunch time refers to a phenomenon in which workers perform long hours of work that can damage their physical and mental health. The absence of an agreed definition and systematized information on crunch hinders progress on this topic. This research proposes a definition for crunch within the games industry based on a scoping review. A search string was applied across ten information sources resulting in 48 included studies. It is concluded that working time is an essential element defining crunch, however, other elements, such as deadlines and overload, signal that crunch may be comprehended as a broader phenomenon of increase in work intensity. This research offers a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of overwork in the games industry and contributes to the international challenge of identifying, measuring and mitigating crunch.