"There surely must be a limited supply of people who can do the really serious physics modeling or AI stuff. Are they subject to the same conditions?" Yes, the

"There surely must be a limited supply of people who can do the really serious physics modeling or AI stuff. Are they subject to the same conditions?" Yes, they are, because there are still more available than needed, and 'the best' is rarely a trait that games studios look for in hiring. That said, someone with a SIGGRAPH presentation, or equivalents in AI or physics, WILL be treated with more respect in the industry. But at the end of the day, you'll still be a very disposable cog, that works the hours that management decries, or you're gone.