Crunch: varför, vad och effekter : En kvalitativ studie om fenomenet Crunch utifråndataspelsutvecklares perspektiv

Sammanfattning: The phenomenon of crunch is well established in the computer game industry, but is still unfamiliar in other areas. Crunch represents a period in the work phase that is characterized by a high and intense workload in connection with deadlines and upcoming game releases that exist in order to speed up a project. This period is most often characterized by being unpaid (Cote & Harris, 2020, p. 161; Cote & Harris, 2021, p. 1). The purpose of this study is to broaden and deepen the understanding of the phenomenon of crunch in the computer game industry from the perspective of computer game developers. The focus of the thesis will be on answering why crunch still exists in the computer game industry, what drives computer game developers to perform a crunch and what effects crunch has on computer game developers. The study's theoretical frame of reference presents five different themes that form the basis for the study's results: passion, motivation, working conditions, culture and work-life balance. A qualitative approach is the chosen method for this study where the empirical material has been collected through eight digital interviews with computer game developers. All interviews were recorded with the approval of the respondents and subsequently transcribed. Furthermore, a thematic analysis was performed on the collected material. The conclusions of the study are that crunch still exists in the computer game industry due to the computer game developers long-standing passion for work, prevailing working conditions and the maintenance of a crunch culture where computer game developers give in to informal demands. Furthermore, there are different factors that drive a computer game developer to carry out a crunch, of which social connectedness, creativity, self-realization, autonomy, competence, personal development, honor and fame are driving forces. The emotions that computer game development generates as well as goal completion are also contributing factors to what drives computer game developers to carry out a crunch. Finally, crunch can lead to many different effects on computer game developers, ranging from physical and mental effects to lack of productivity and creativity, where one’s private life may be affected. The effects of crunch presented in the study are of a negative nature which impacts the health and well-being of computer game developers. Concluding the study is a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses with the thesis including suggestions for future research.