Documentation “Crunch”: 3 comments on the abyss of the gaming industry
Image: SWR
With the documentary “Crunch-Dream and Nightmare in the Gaming Industry”, the SWR takes a critical look at the global gaming industry and focuses on their dark sides. The often toxic work culture is illuminated behind the development of many video games.
In the documentary that can now be called in the Ard Media Library, “an experienced game developer with three burnouts”, “an animation genius with decades of bullying” and “an idealistic founder”.
The documentation compares these personal stories systematic group compulsion, psychological stress and exploitation, which occur not only in the eponymous final phase of development – the “Crunch”. The documentary is intended to show how passion and self-explanation are intertwined in this industry and what a high price many pay for their supposed dream job.
Many experts, who are in the documentary, are expected to give an insight into an industry and, according to the creators, show “the real costs of entertainment that relies on the victims of those who create the games for us”.
“Crunch-Dream and Nightmare in the Gaming Industry” will also air on SWR on March 27, 2025.
Topics: Documentation Game Source: Belrin Report

A lifelong video game enthusiast, Julien reviews the latest releases and explores the technologies transforming the gaming world.