Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer defended studio work practices, including a four-week crunch window for the video game Wardogs and monitoring job applicants’ social media, according to statements given to Eurogamer and a recent appearance on The Game Business podcast. The developer’s new release sold two million copies in its first five days on Steam, bringing studio policies regarding overtime, equity, and recruitment under public scrutiny.
Crunch Expectations and Work Culture at Bulkhead
According to his interview with podcast host Chris Dring on The Game Business, Brammer stated that he expects team members to work overtime when necessary. “We don’t hide that this is going to happen at some point,” Brammer said on the podcast. He added that applicants who object to crunch “often don’t make it in the door, because we want to be known for that: this is a place you come to work hard.”
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Following backlash on social media, Brammer clarified his remarks in a statement to Eurogamer. He detailed a specific instance in June 2026 when the studio fell behind on the Wardogs beta build. To catch up, staff worked an extra two hours a day, Monday through Thursday, for a total of 16 working days across four weeks. According to Brammer, the overtime was optional, with four people opting out without consequence.
Did you know? Bulkhead developed a four-day work week that ran for two years, which Brammer described in his interview as one of the largest trials of its kind before productivity demands required returning to a standard schedule.
Social Media Screening and UK Employment Law
Brammer also discussed screening potential hires by checking their social media profiles for anti-crunch commentary, stating in the podcast that such candidates “are not going to be happy here.” This practice raised questions regarding UK employment regulations. Per guidelines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)—the independent regulatory authority responsible for upholding information rights in the UK—employers should only screen candidate social media accounts under specific legal obligations or when distinct risks to the workplace can be identified, and candidates must be notified in advance.
In response to inquiries from Eurogamer regarding these guidelines, Brammer clarified his statements. “I was speaking informally about our culture and the kind of environment we have at Bulkhead, rather than setting out our formal recruitment process,” Brammer stated. He noted that publicly available information is considered only in accordance with applicable UK employment and data protection laws, without accessing private accounts or conducting covert checks.
Equity Sharing and Commercial Success of Wardogs
Wardogs achieved significant commercial performance upon release, moving two million copies within five days on Steam. Brammer highlighted that the studio distributes financial returns directly to staff, noting that 80 percent of Bulkhead’s shares are owned by 50 percent of its employees. According to Brammer, this equity structure aims to provide life-changing compensation, such as housing down payments for junior staff members who have spent two or three years with the studio.
The studio has experimented with alternative workplace policies alongside its standard development cycles, including a paternity leave trial that provided 10 weeks off. Brammer noted that the 10-week policy proved difficult for partners managing childcare independently after the leave concluded, leading the studio to revise the structure to two weeks of minimum leave followed by flexible half-days and three designated usage weeks across the first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wardogs and how well did it sell?
Wardogs is a video game developed by Bulkhead. It sold two million copies in its first five days of release on Steam, according to studio CEO Joe Brammer.
Did Bulkhead mandate crunch for Wardogs?
According to Brammer’s statement to Eurogamer, overtime for the Wardogs beta build was optional. Four staff members opted out of the four-week period, which required working an extra two hours a day from Monday through Thursday.
What does UK law say about employer social media checks?
According to the Information Commissioner’s Office, UK employers should only screen candidate social media profiles when under a legal obligation or when specific risks to the business are identified, and candidates must be notified in advance.
How are Bulkhead employees rewarded for studio success?
According to Bulkhead, 80 percent of the studio’s shares are owned by 50 percent of the staff, allowing eligible employees to receive financial returns from game sales.
What are your thoughts on studio crunch policies and alternative work models in the gaming industry? Join the discussion in the comments below or explore our latest industry reports.
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