Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, the studio behind the successful new release Wardogs, has issued a new statement to address backlash from comments he made regarding work culture, specifically concerning "crunch" and the screening of potential employees' social media.
In a recent interview, Brammer stated that his studio checks the social media of applicants and would likely not hire individuals who "constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging." He also indicated that crunch, while generally avoided, is an expected part of the development process at Bulkhead. These remarks sparked significant debate online.
Brammer later took to X, formerly Twitter, to assert that his comments were taken out of context and that the use of the word "mandatory" by some media outlets to describe crunch at his studio was inaccurate. He highlighted other aspects of Bulkhead's work culture, including a four-day work week trial for half of the game's development, 80 percent of company shares owned by 50 percent of staff, and that all employees receive the month of December off. Brammer emphasized that these initiatives show the studio's commitment to improving workplace conditions.
He further clarified that while crunch is an expectation, it is not rigidly mandated. In his statement to Eurogamer, Brammer detailed a specific instance where an additional two hours of work per day for four weeks was proposed to meet a beta build deadline for Wardogs. He stated that this crunch was optional, with four individuals opting out without consequence, though he acknowledged that social pressure within a close-knit team could make such individuals feel uncomfortable.
Brammer also addressed concerns about the practice of monitoring social media during the recruitment process. He explained that his comments were meant to informally describe the studio's culture and environment, rather than outline a formal recruitment procedure. He assured that any consideration of publicly available information adheres to UK employment and data protection laws, and that the studio does not access private accounts or conduct covert checks. The intention, he stated, is to ensure a good fit for both the applicant and the company.
Bulkhead's approach to work-life balance, including efforts to innovate with paternity leave policies, has also faced scrutiny. Brammer has expressed frustration with what he perceives as restrictive UK labor laws that can impede the implementation of progressive workplace initiatives.
Wardogs has achieved significant commercial success, selling 2 million copies on Steam in its first five days. Brammer noted that this success will result in bonuses for some team members, particularly those who own company shares, as a reward for their hard work.
In addition to these discussions, Brammer also touched upon the studio's decision to avoid participating in showcases like Geoff Keighley's The Game Awards and the company's open communication strategy, which includes offering refunds to disgruntled beta players and addressing feedback directly.