Gaming IndustryJul 19, 2022
Epic GamesStal.lone

Long term side effects of crunch?

Hi Blinders, been having memory problems that are getting worse. I've been in the game industry for over 20 years, lots of studios and projects that I'm really proud of. But I'm starting to wonder if it could be related to years & years of crunching. It started last year, but I blew it off as "getting older" (mid-40s). Then my family started to tease me about it (gently). I tend to forget conversations - like, as if they never happened. I'm at the point where my family is reminding me about things I've forgotten almost every day. Important stuff too, like doctors appointments and financial to-dos. It's honestly kind of scary. What if I forget something especially important? I read an article once about a guy who spent a week with a friend in another city, after crunching on a AAA game project. He said afterward that he'd lost all memory of it. I'm going in for neuropsych testing next week. Would appreciate hearing from anyone else in your mid-career who is no stranger to crunch. Have you had memory problems, or other strange things you have noticed? EDIT: This isn't related to Epic - Epic has been amazing for me. This is the result of many pre-Epic gigs. I couldn't be at a better company. Just to be clear ๐Ÿ™ Thanks for reading โ™ฅ๏ธ #gaming #crunch #deadlines

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Meta bankzy Jul 19, 2022

You work on Fortnite?

Epic Games Stal.lone OP Jul 19, 2022

Not related to Epic - Epic has been amazing for me. Accumulation of pre-Epic gigs. Realizing this is happening while here, I couldn't be at a better company. Just to be clear

Tesla useFinesse Jul 19, 2022

Sorry to hear that. I only encountered something similar back when I frequently used cannabis. Itโ€™s good youโ€™re getting things checked up early just in case. I hope all will be well with you ๐Ÿ™ EDIT: to be clear Iโ€™ve never been a game developer, but am no stranger to 60-80 hour work weeks

Google go/ogle Jul 19, 2022

Hey, you posted this topic last week

Meta bankzy Jul 19, 2022

youโ€™re wrong for that ๐Ÿ’€

Epic Games Stal.lone OP Jul 19, 2022

Not me... But good one, haha

New
GRAG04 Jul 20, 2022

Are you getting enough sleep? This has always been number one for me, sleep debt is real!

Indeed AeJP42 Jul 21, 2022

I got completely burned out after less than a year of crunch at a startup, could barely even think straight until I'd had a few weeks to decompress after leaving, I can't even imagine what the long term effects would be of subjecting myself to that for 20 years.

New
gHb9Xq Jul 22, 2022

Sorry but whatโ€™s crunch? Is crunching a type of drug? What do you crunch when you crunch? I seriously donโ€™t know. Must be a gaming industry term.

Naughty Dog kEmH57 Jul 22, 2022

Working 40+ hours towards the end of a game's ship cycle.

Epic Games Stal.lone OP Jul 22, 2022

Worst weeks are 100 hours (weekends included)

EA ExFaanger Jul 29, 2022

One side effect is I can now only eat smooth peanut butter Crunchy just brings back the memories ๐Ÿ˜ข