As concerns about crunch culture remain at the forefront of the games industry, Naughty Dog's leaders are speaking out about what they're doing to assess working conditions at their own company.

Known for franchises like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Crash Bandicoot, and Jak & Daxter, Naughty Dog has been a prominent force in the AAA development scene for the two decades. However, ahead of one of 2020's biggest releases, The Last of Us Part II, reports began to emerge about instances of crunch culture within Naughty Dog's ranks. After the game was delayed, developers anonymously said the delay led to sustained crunch rather than more breathing room.

Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Neil Druckmann spoke to Game Informer about how the studio is working to move forward and make changes after last year's reports of crunch.

Druckmann says Naughty Dog is assessing ways the studio can improve, including evaluating the well-being of Naughty Dog employees by looking at how many hours employees are working and how much stress they're feeling, among other factors.

"Everybody has a different definition of what crunch means," Druckmann said. "We find that there is no one solution that fits everybody. Everybody has a unique situation we might need to address."

Game Informer also asked Wells and Druckmann about unionization. Wells said he hasn't put a lot of thought into it, and doesn't know if it would be a solution to crunch. Druckmann says the studio has tried to implement anti-crunch solutions in the past, but a one-size-fits-all solution doesn't always lead to results.

"... we’ve said, 'Okay, no working past this hour,' or, 'It’s mandatory that no one can work on Sunday,' and they’re always a lot of corner cases of someone saying, 'Well, I couldn’t work on Friday because I had to be with my kids. It’s actually more convenient for me to come in on Sunday.' When you try to have a silver bullet, like one solution, you’re always leaving someone behind. That’s why we feel like we need multiple solutions. We have to approach this from multiple angles."

Wells also spoke on the topic of strict work limits, saying, "If we had some sort of restriction where when the clock strikes 40 hours the servers shut down and you can’t work anymore, that would frustrate people to no end. There are people who really want to put in that extra polish on their own volition, and they would feel handcuffed."

The interview has drawn criticism in some corners, with one games media member calling Wells and Druckmann's responses "wishy-washy," and others saying Naughty Dog missed an opportunity to make themselves look decent. However, Naughty Dog environmental artist Anthony Vaccaro pushed back against these assertions, calling the effort to address crunch at Naughty Dog "dramatic."

It remains to be seen how Naughty Dog will adjust to the reports of crunch among its employees. Crunch remains a common problem in video game development. Red Dead Redemption 2 creator Rockstar and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red have also come under fire for unhealthy work environments.

However, Insomniac, another studio under Sony's first-party umbrella, reportedly managed to ship Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart "completely crunch free." Multiple Ratchet and Clank developers posted on Twitter saying they experienced a healthier work-life balance than could be found at many other big-budget studios.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

As concerns about crunch culture remain at the forefront of the games industry, Naughty Dog's leaders are speaking out about what they're doing to assess working conditions at their own company.

Known for franchises like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Crash Bandicoot, and Jak & Daxter, Naughty Dog has been a prominent force in the AAA development scene for the two decades. However, ahead of one of 2020's biggest releases, The Last of Us Part II, reports began to emerge about instances of crunch culture within Naughty Dog's ranks. After the game was delayed, developers anonymously said the delay led to sustained crunch rather than more breathing room.

Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Neil Druckmann spoke to Game Informer about how the studio is working to move forward and make changes after last year's reports of crunch.

Druckmann says Naughty Dog is assessing ways the studio can improve, including evaluating the well-being of Naughty Dog employees by looking at how many hours employees are working and how much stress they're feeling, among other factors.

"Everybody has a different definition of what crunch means," Druckmann said. "We find that there is no one solution that fits everybody. Everybody has a unique situation we might need to address."

Game Informer also asked Wells and Druckmann about unionization. Wells said he hasn't put a lot of thought into it, and doesn't know if it would be a solution to crunch. Druckmann says the studio has tried to implement anti-crunch solutions in the past, but a one-size-fits-all solution doesn't always lead to results.

"... we’ve said, 'Okay, no working past this hour,' or, 'It’s mandatory that no one can work on Sunday,' and they’re always a lot of corner cases of someone saying, 'Well, I couldn’t work on Friday because I had to be with my kids. It’s actually more convenient for me to come in on Sunday.' When you try to have a silver bullet, like one solution, you’re always leaving someone behind. That’s why we feel like we need multiple solutions. We have to approach this from multiple angles."

Wells also spoke on the topic of strict work limits, saying, "If we had some sort of restriction where when the clock strikes 40 hours the servers shut down and you can’t work anymore, that would frustrate people to no end. There are people who really want to put in that extra polish on their own volition, and they would feel handcuffed."

The interview has drawn criticism in some corners, with one games media member calling Wells and Druckmann's responses "wishy-washy," and others saying Naughty Dog missed an opportunity to make themselves look decent. However, Naughty Dog environmental artist Anthony Vaccaro pushed back against these assertions, calling the effort to address crunch at Naughty Dog "dramatic."

It remains to be seen how Naughty Dog will adjust to the reports of crunch among its employees. Crunch remains a common problem in video game development. Red Dead Redemption 2 creator Rockstar and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red have also come under fire for unhealthy work environments.

However, Insomniac, another studio under Sony's first-party umbrella, reportedly managed to ship Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart "completely crunch free." Multiple Ratchet and Clank developers posted on Twitter saying they experienced a healthier work-life balance than could be found at many other big-budget studios.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Goodboy Galaxy, an upcoming game for Game Boy Advance, Switch, and PC, has smashed its Kickstarter goal. Yes — you read that right — it's 2021, and a brand new game is coming to the 20-year-old GBA.

With about a month to go, Goodboy Galaxy has blazed past its initial goal of $25,000, and raised over $100,000 with the support of more than 1,500 backers. The game has also met all of its stretch goals, which include a physical Switch release, co-op missions on Switch and PC, a GBA-exclusive chapter, and more.

Goodboy Galaxy is an upcoming 2D exploration-based platformer. The developers describe it as, "kind of like Cave Story, or a cuter Metroid." It stars a dog astronaut named Maxwell (the titular "Goodboy"), as he explores the galaxy. The game was created by two friends who have a deep love for the Game Boy Advance.

The game isn't projected to launch until 2023, but the launch plans include a physical GBA version with the game cartridge, box, and manual that will fit right in with your Game Boy Advance collection.

Right now, there's a demo available that you can download, or try directly from your web browser. To avoid spoilers, the content in the demo will not be a part of the main game. You can check out the demo and all of the backer tiers on the official Goodboy Galaxy Kickstarter page.

In addition to this Kickstarter project, the GBA era is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. WarioWare, which got its start on GBA, has a new Switch entry coming out in September with WarioWare: Get It Together. And, tactics fans can look forward to the remake of Advance Wars 1+2, which is coming to Switch this December.

For more, check out IGN's list of the best Game Boy Advance games of all time.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

A Jungle Cruise sequel is confirmed to be in development just as the newest Disneyland ride-turned-movie crosses $100 million at the box office.

The Hollywood Reporter says Disney is moving forward on another Jungle Cruise movie with stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt reprising their roles as Frank Wolff and Dr. Lily Houghton respectively.

In fact, much of the same crew is expected to return for the sequel including director Jaume Collet-Serra and co-writer Michael Green.

Jungle Cruise is an adventure film based on a ride of the same name found at several Disney theme parks. The premise of the ride is that park-goers get on a ship as they’re navigated through a jungle while guided by a skipper who shares fun facts about the locale.

Disney recently made some changes to the Jungle Cruise rides over outdated, and in some cases, racist references.

The film adaptation takes the core premise of a cruise navigating the Amazon river but wraps it in a classic, pulp adventure story.

Jungle Cruise was released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access and though it was a slow build, Jungle Cruise eventually proved to be a box office hit. Meanwhile, Disney is currently engaged in a lawsuit with actress Scarlett Johansson over a pay dispute resulting from Black Widow’s similar hybrid release.

IGN praised Jungle Cruise as a “joyous summer romp rooted on by a fun script and some completely captivating chemistry” between Johnson and Blunt.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Professional streamer Ben Lupo, known as DrLupo, announced he will begin live streaming exclusively on YouTube Gaming. His first YouTube livestream will take place tomorrow, August 31.

Twitch tweeted following DrLupo's announcement, wishing him all the best as he moves on from the platform.

As a creator, a gamer and a father, you’re many things to many people.

Above all, @DrLupo, you’re someone who works hard to put good into the world.

We wish you nothing but the best in everything that comes next. pic.twitter.com/pkUCoX1dWe

— Twitch (@Twitch) August 30, 2021

On Twitch, DrLupo has 4.5 million followers. He's gained popularity streaming games including Fortnite, Destiny, Escape from Tarkov, and more. He also famously streamed with Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat, in what was dubbed as a "Battle for Global Supremacy." DrLupo is also known for his charity streams, which have raised millions of dollars for St. Jude.

He's moving over to YouTube, where he currently has about 1.7 million followers. DrLupo says the move to YouTube will allow him to expand his philanthropic efforts, saying, "through this partnership, YouTube will help me as I expand my brand through other entertainment initiatives. I am excited to bring my fans on this journey with me."

DrLupo is not the first big streamer to move from Twitch to YouTube Gaming. Jack “CouRage” Dunlop made the move back in 2019. Ninja also left Twitch in favor of Mixer in 2019. But after Microsoft shut Mixer down, he moved over to YouTube for a brief stint before returning to Twitch late last year.

All of this is part of a broader effort by the biggest streaming platforms to lock down talent as exclusives, similar to how various streaming services boast exclusive shows and movies.

For more, read about how 2020 was YouTube's biggest year ever in terms of video games, with over 100 billion hours spent watching gaming content on the platform.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

(Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)

It's almost time to start thinking about Game of the Year awards for 2021, but one organization is still highlighting the best in gaming from last year, 2020.

The International Game Developers Association has revealed its winners for the inaugural Global Game Industry Awards. The categories included art, writing, engineering and technology, audio, and more.

The big winner was Supergiant Games’ Hades, which took home nine awards, including voice acting, 2D animation, and representation. Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Ghost of Tsushima, Half-Life: Alyx, and The Last of Us Part II also won multiple awards.

You can check out a full list of the winners below:

Art

• 2D Animation - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• 2D Character Design - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• 2D Environment Art - Moon Studios’ Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• 3D Animation - Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II
• 3D Character Art - CD Projekt RED’s Cyberpunk 2077
• 3D Environment Art - Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima
• Cinematography - Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II
• UI Art - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• Visual Effects - Nolla Games’ Noita

Audio

• Music Composition - iD Software’s DOOM Eternal
• Sound Design - Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima
• Voice Acting - Supergiant Games’ Hades

Design

• Accessibility Innovation - Ubisoft Montreal’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Gameplay Design - Mediatonic’s Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• Level Design - Valve Corporation’s Half-Life: Alyx
• Serious Game Design - Dry Cactus’ Polybridge 2
• Systems Design - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• UI/UX - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• Engineering and Technology
• Achievements in New Technology - Valve Corporation’s Half-Life: Alyx
• Artificial Intelligence - Ubisoft Montreal’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Audio Technology - Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima
• Engine Technology - Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4
• Gameplay Technology - Valve Corporation’s Half-Life: Alyx
• Graphics Technology - Nolla Games’ Noita
• Networking Technology - Asobo Studios’ Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Systems Technology - Ubisoft Toronto’s Watch Dogs: Legion

Support

• Community Management - Innersloth’s Among Us
• Customer Support - Mediatonic’s Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• Marketing - Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass
• Production/Management - Insomniac
• Quality Assurance - iD Software’s DOOM Eternal
• Research & Analytics - Asobo Studios’ Microsoft Flight Simulator

Writing and Narrative

• Dialogue - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• Narrative Design - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• Story - Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II
• World Building - Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima

Miscellaneous

• Representation - Supergiant Games’ Hades
• Upcoming Indie - Kinetic Games
• Diversity and Inclusivity - Microsoft

Last year, Hades won IGN's Game of the Year award. The roguelike was widely recognized as one of the best games of 2020, taking home the top prize at multiple shows, including the Game Developer Choice Awards, and the SXSW Gaming Awards.

If you still haven't tried it out, Hades came to Xbox Game Pass this month, as well as PS4 and PS5.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Megan Fox will be the newest member of Sylvester Stallone's crew in The Expendables 4, which was confirmed today by Lionsgate.

Fox, who found fame in Transformers and various other Michael Bay films, has lately been having a bit of a moment. Best-known for her breakout success in Transformers, she has managed to keep busy with roles in Till Death and Night Teeth.

Fox has recently talked openly about her treatment at the hands of the media and the general abuse she suffered as a very young actress trying to make it in Hollywood, with profiles like this one spotlighting her struggles.

She joins the Expendables cast as one of the youngest members of the team. Other confirmed Expendables 4 cast members include Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and of course, Stallone, with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Tony Jaa also joining the team.

The new film will be directed by Scott Waugh, who previously worked on Need for Speed and Acts of Valor

Terry Crews will seemingly not be returning for Expendables 4. Back in 2018, Crews said he wouldn't be returning to the action franchise after what he says was retaliation from producer Avi Lerner concerning allegations of sexual misconduct against agent Adam Venit.

FIrst released in 2010, The Expendables seeks to bring together the most notable action heroes of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. The last new entry was released in 2014, and was the lowest-grossing film in the trilogy. Nevertheless, Stallone started teasing Expendables 4 back in 2018, revealing that the series definitely wasn't finished.

The Expendables 4 does not yet have a release date.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN

Netflix has revealed the release date for the upcoming third season of its psychological thriller series You, which will arrive on October 15, 2021.

Season 3 will focus on the main character Joe Goldberg as he navigates fatherhood after finding out at the end of the previous season that his girlfriend Love Quinn was pregnant. While the new trailer does not share any footage from the upcoming season, the new trailer does reveal the gender and name of Joe's newborn baby.

Whoever said raising a child would be a piece of cake? YOU S3 is coming October 15. pic.twitter.com/sFzdSjxEGS

— YOU (@YouNetflix) August 30, 2021

The series is based on the novel series of the same name by Caroline Kepnes, which currently consists of three books, with the author currently working on a fourth entry in the series. Though Variety reported that the upcoming season would not be an adaptation of Kepnes' third book, You Love Me. It will instead take the story in its own direction.

You's first season originally premiered on Lifetime and the channel would even renew the show for a second season before the show even aired. Yet, the show became more popular when it was streaming on Netflix. By December, the streaming giant announced that You was now a Netflix Original series. The second season premiered on December 26, 2019, with the series getting renewed for another season in January 2020.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Beginning September 1, video game companies like NetEase and Tencent are required to limit online gaming to just three hours per week for minors, according to new rules imposed by Chinese regulators.

As reported first by Bloomberg, children under the age of 18 will only be allowed to game for one hour between 8pm and 9pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, as well as public holidays. Additionally, game companies are required to restrict online gaming during these hours and must enforce a real-name verification system in place, according to Reuters.

This is not the first time video game limits were imposed in China. In 2018, Tencent implemented a similar system, where it enforced age checks and limited time spent on its mobile game Honor of Kings to one hour per day for children up to the age of 12. While children between the ages of 13 and 18 were restricted to playing for a maximum of two hours a day.

The new regulations serve as a broad crackdown on China's tech giants in addition to combatting game addiction in China. Roughly a month ago, a Chinese state-run publication published an article describing online gaming as "spiritual opium" before removing the phrase. Though, the National Press and Publication Administration noted that online gaming influences minors' mental and physical health in its announcement post.

These rules are only limited to online gaming and do not directly mention if non-online games will be restricted in this capacity. The new regulations also do not clarify whether or not console games and foreign titles will be required to comply with local regulations.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Chinese developer and publisher NetEase is reportedly in "final negotiations" with Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi to hire him away from Sega, where he's been since 1989.

According to a report from Bloomberg, at NetEase Nagoshi would be expected to build a new team and develop brand new games for the company, though the final contract and any details about his job role have yet to be set in stone.

NetEase is already a gaming superpower in China thanks to mobile games like the Westward Journey series, Cyber Hunter, Identity V, and Knives Out (no relation to the film), as well as its partnership with Activision-Blizzard to run World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Starcraft 2 in the country.

However, it is still looking to expand its global notoriety and gain more hits outside of China, especially amidst a growing crackdown on gaming time for minors in China that became even more stringent today.

As Tokyo-based analyst, Serkan Toto, of Kantan Games put it to Bloomberg, companies like NetEase and Tencent are especially interested in acquiring Japanese talent to accomplish these goals. "Tencent and NetEase have been speaking to just about all publicly traded studios here and are actively courting some privately held developers, too. They both feel pressure to make headway in Japan, especially since game regulations in their home market are becoming increasingly restrictive," Toto said.

Nagoshi has been with Sega since the very early days of arcade titles, with his first credit at the company being as a designer on Virtua Racing. He went on to be the producer and director for the Monkey Ball series, before heading up Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and leading the creation of the Yakuza franchise.

The most recent Yakuza game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, was especially notable for taking the series from an action beat-em-up to a turn-based RPG, whose bold steps we applauded despite its struggles to maintain balance. A sequel to Yakuza spin-off Judgment, entitled Lost Judgment, is planned for next month.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.