The dark side of gaming: exploitation, doping, and toxicity

Behind the biggest video game releases lies a disturbing reality. 100-hour work weeks, the use of stimulants in competitions, and a toxic culture are the controversies that will shake the gaming industry in 2025.

The video game industry, an entertainment giant that generates more revenue than film and music combined, is attempting to turn the page in 2025 from a dark period marked by labor exploitation scandals, allegations of toxic cultures, and growing concerns about doping in esports competitions. Despite efforts to improve, these controversies remain a lurking reality behind the most anticipated titles.

One of the most deeply rooted controversies in video game development is the so-called "crunch culture." This term refers to the periods of intensive and compulsory work, often unpaid, that studio employees must endure to meet release dates. Reports speak of marathon workdays of 12 to 15 hours a day, working 6 or 7 days a week, which can lead to a total of nearly 100 hours a week.

Glen Schofield, CEO of Striking Distance studio, summed it up in a controversial, since-deleted tweet: "We're working 6-7 days a week (...) No one's forcing us, you do it because you want to." This mentality, which romanticizes exploitation under the guise of "passion for video games," has been harshly criticized and has led to extreme situations, including cases of employee suicides that have resulted in multi-million-dollar lawsuits against companies.

Although major companies like Rockstar Games, creators of the Grand Theft Auto series, have claimed to have taken steps to eliminate crunch, the practice remains an open secret in the industry.

As electronic sports (esports) become more professional and prize money reaches millions of dollars, a new and worrying controversy has emerged: doping. However, instead of steroids, players turn to stimulants and energy drinks to improve their performance, concentration, and reflexes during long competitive sessions.

According to a study published in 2023, an alarming 97.8% of tournament participants regularly consume energy drinks. Francisco Javier López Frías, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, describes this as "the red bull in the room," a normalized practice but one with potential long-term health risks for players. Regulation and anti-doping controls in esports are still in their infancy, leaving ample room for substance abuse.

Beyond working conditions, the video game industry continues to struggle with a persistent toxic culture, both in the workplace and in the content of the games themselves. For years, highly successful series have been criticized for featuring demeaning female characters or perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

In response to societal and employee pressure, some studios are beginning to take steps toward greater diversity and inclusion. One notable example is the confirmation that the next installment of Grand Theft Auto will feature, for the first time in the series' history, a playable female protagonist. This change, although late, is seen as an important step for a franchise that has historically been criticized for its portrayal of women.

"Video games are an excellent tool for digital literacy, through which we transmit forms, values, and ways of behaving (...) as well as the cultural and political codes and values ​​that predominate in the countries where the largest production centers are located," notes a study by the University of Salamanca, highlighting the enormous social and cultural impact of video games.

Although the industry is trying to clean up its image, recurring scandals demonstrate that the road to a fair work environment, fair competition, and more inclusive content is still long and fraught. Consumer pressure and the courage of employees who speak out against these practices are key to forcing real change in one of the most powerful and influential industries of the 21st century.