Editing Video game development (section)

==== Release schedules and "crunch time" ====
{{see also|Crunch (video games)}}
In most [[AAA (video game industry)|AAA]] game development, games are announced a year or more in advance and given a planned release date or approximate window so that they can promote and market the game, establish orders with retailers, and entice consumers to pre-order the game. Delaying the release of a video game can have a negative financial impact on publishers and developers, and extensive delays may lead to project cancellation and employee layoffs.{{sfn|Moore|Novak|2010|p=20,48}} To ensure a game makes a set release date, publishers and developers may require their employees to work overtime to complete the game, which is considered common in the industry.{{sfn|Moore|Novak|2010|p=241}} This overtime is often referred to as "[[Crunch (video games)|crunch time]]" or "crunch mode".{{sfn|McShaffry|2009|p=17}} In 2004 and afterwards, the culture of crunch time in the industry came under scrutiny, leading many publishers and developers to reduce the expectation on developers for overtime work and better schedule management, though crunch time still can occur.{{sfn|Moore|Novak|2010|p=48, 241}}