Former Sega Employees Admit Difficult Years
The intense work culture known as “crunch” in the gaming world has been one of the industry’s most controversial topics for years. Especially in the 1990s and early 2000s, this culture was a constant part of daily life for many studios. Years later, Sega veterans candidly recounted the harsh conditions and working routines of that era in interviews.
Traces of Crunch Culture at Sega
Takaharu Terada, Toru Ohara, and Toru Yoshida, three prominent figures who worked at Sega for many years, have made their mark on both classic series and modern productions. In an interview with Japan-based 4Gamer, the team reflected on the past, emphasizing the deep-seated nature of this intense work culture. Yoshida noted that in the 1990s, it was considered normal for offices to have showers and sleeping rooms, and for employees to stay overnight at the studio.
Toru Ohara shared his own experience, saying he often slept under his desk with cardboard and a sleeping bag. He even explained that employees were sometimes forced to sleep under their desks because the sleeping rooms were full. This made the hectic pace at Sega commonplace. It was made clear that when game development had tight deadlines, staying up all night in the office was the only option.
Developers, despite the intense workload, found their own ways to maintain morale and motivation. For example, Ohara and Terada tried to relieve work stress by playing games together in their spare time. Games like Bushido Blade provided both entertainment and a brief escape from the hectic pace. It was a time when the boundaries between work and leisure for employees blurred.
Over time, this culture has largely faded away. Sega’s offices no longer have sleeping rooms or showers. Yoshida explained that this change is linked to both labor law reforms and the company’s desire to encourage healthier work habits for its employees. However, despite these regulations, some people had made it a habit to live in the studio in the past. Terada revealed how difficult the period was, saying he slept in the office five days a week and only went home on Saturday.
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