Wardogs studio chief Brammer insists he isn’t “pro crunch, I am pro hard work”
The CEO of Bulkhead Interactive, developer of the military shooter Wardogs, has clarified controversial remarks about workplace crunch following public backlash.
Joe Brammer initially told The Games Business that Bulkhead would not hire people who “constantly tweet anti-crunch messaging,” drawing criticism from the gaming community. After the negative response, Brammer issued a clarification to Eurogamer, insisting he is not “pro crunch” but rather “pro hard work.”
According to Brammer’s statement, Bulkhead’s overtime practices are measured and limited. Staff worked an additional two hours per week from Monday through Thursday for a four-week period—considerably less than traditional crunch definitions. The studio operates on a four-day work week schedule, which Brammer cited as evidence of the company’s commitment to work-life balance.
The controversy emerged as Wardogs achieved significant commercial success, selling over 3 million copies within its first three weeks. The timing raised questions about whether additional hours were necessary for the game’s development or launch.
Brammer’s clarification attempts to distinguish between demanding productivity and unsustainable crunch culture. However, the contrast between his initial comments and subsequent explanation suggests ongoing tension regarding how the studio defines acceptable working conditions.