id Software developer reveals extreme crunch during DOOM expansion development

Former id Software producer Andrew Willis has revealed that the development of the DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations expansion involved extreme working conditions, described as the worst crunch in the history of the franchise.

Speaking on the Kiwi Talkz podcast, Willis stated that the project faced severe time constraints, with much of the content being developed in just three to four months. During a two-month period, Willis reported working at least 12 hours a day, with some shifts reaching up to 17 hours. He noted that workloads occasionally peaked at 80 hours per week.

Willis highlighted that even veteran developers with decades of experience in Hollywood and the gaming industry identified this as the most intense crunch they had ever experienced. He attributed the pressure to tight deadlines and the continuous addition of new features during the development cycle. While the expansion received positive reviews from critics and players, the revelations have reignited debates regarding systemic labor practices within the video game industry.