In a recent Q&A (via Kotaku), Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty discussed Bethesda’s well-documented issues with crunch in the past (including as recently as with Fallout 76), and said that that is no longer an issue at the developer across its multiple studios.
Bethesda was, of course, bought out by Microsoft and turned into an Xbox first party company last year, and according to its new bosses, it no longer has issues relating to crunch.
I don’t say that to justify it, I’m just saying it was part of the culture of the industry.
“Crunch culture is… if you go back 10 years ago, it’s a little unfair to put that on one studio,” Booty said.