Overtime work during era of digitalization: case of crunch phenomenon in the videogame

Abstract

Due to the development of the information society overtime work is becoming an increasingly widespread phenomenon, and its greatest manifestation is observed in the gaming industry. Long and often unpaid overtime work in the industry is called "crunch". Despite their prevalence in Russia, there is a lack of Russian publications devoted to them. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of crunch in the Russian gaming industry through the prism of their causes and consequences. In-depth interviews and analysis of English-language literature were conducted. It was revealed that crunches are a feature of the industry and the reasons for their prevalence in Russia do not differ from other countries: creativity of work, project-based organizations, passion for work. Overwork leads to employee burnout, putting companies and the industry at risk of losing their most valuable employees.