Bulkhead CEO defends work culture and hiring practices

Joe Brammer, CEO of the UK-based game developer Bulkhead, has faced scrutiny following comments regarding the studio’s work culture and its approach to ‘crunch’—periods of intense overtime. Brammer stated in an interview with The Game Business that the studio reviews applicants' public social media profiles and may decline candidates who frequently post anti-crunch messaging, citing concerns over cultural fit.

Brammer described the studio’s model as a balancing act, where intense work periods are followed by opportunities to scale back. He noted that while the studio aims to avoid mandatory crunch, it does not promise it will never happen. To offset high-intensity periods, Bulkhead offers financial incentives, including bonuses and company shares, with 50% of the staff reportedly owning 80% of the company.

Despite the controversy, Bulkhead’s recent title, Wardogs, has seen significant commercial success, selling over two million copies on Steam within five days of its early access launch. Brammer later clarified his comments to Eurogamer, stating his remarks about social media monitoring were made ‘informally’ regarding company culture.