Report Alleges Mandated Crunch and Poor Working Conditions at Metroid Dread and Blades of Fire Developer MercurySteam

A new investigation by Spanish publication 3DJuegos has raised serious concerns about the internal working conditions at MercurySteam, the Madrid-based studio behind Metroid Dread and, more recently, Blades of Fire. The report includes testimonies from both current and former employees who describe mandated overtime, lack of proper compensation, and a sustained culture of crunch that has reportedly worsened since the release of Blades of Fire earlier this year.

According to the report, the problems began before the launch of Blades of Fire, when MercurySteam introduced a new work structure called “Distribución Irregular de la Jornada” (DIJ). The policy allowed management to impose extended working hours across teams, effectively normalizing 10-hour workdays instead of the standard eight.

Although the studio’s HR department later clarified that these hours were “not mandatory,” employees allege that management initially framed them as obligatory, using crisis-related language to justify the changes. One employee told 3DJuegos:

“At first, they said the extra hours were completely mandatory, without distinguishing between the DIJ hours and the new ones. They spoke of the need for overtime as if we were in some kind of emergency. They exaggerated the company’s situation to make us accept these unregulated measures.”

The same source noted that no proper tracking or written record of the DIJ schedule was maintained, meaning overtime was neither formally approved nor transparently compensated, despite legal requirements for mutual consent and documentation.

The report further claims that not all teams at MercurySteam were affected equally. Some departments have continued to work standard schedules, while others have been kept under extended-hour conditions for months without rotation or relief.

Following Blades of Fire’s disappointing commercial performance, which the publisher publicly described as having “underperformed” (IGN report), employee accounts suggest that crunch intensified as the studio attempted to stabilize operations.

By August 2025, layoffs reportedly began to affect several departments. Some teams experienced significant downsizing, while others continued hiring, creating what one source described as a sense of “disorganization and anxiety” across the company.

In addition to the overtime issues, 3DJuegos reports that internal communication channels have been restricted, with non-work-related chat groups shut down and physical partitions added to the office layout. Employees described an atmosphere of isolation and low morale, with limited transparency about future projects or employment stability.

Despite these challenges, sources claim that teams at MercurySteam are already working under similar conditions on their next unannounced project, though no official details have been provided about the game or its development status.

This is not the first time MercurySteam has faced criticism for its internal culture. During the release of Metroid Dread in 2021, several former developers spoke publicly about the studio’s alleged credit omissions and internal management issues, citing long hours and lack of recognition.

With these latest reports, industry observers and labor advocates are once again calling for greater accountability and structural reform within European studios, as mandated crunch continues to be a recurring issue in game development.

MercurySteam has not issued an official response to 3DJuegos’ findings as of this writing.

Do you think mandated crunch in the game industry can ever be effectively regulated, or is it an inevitable byproduct of large-scale AAA development? Share your views below.