Wardogs boss clarifies the FPS had 4 weeks of "optional" crunch that devs could opt out of, but admits "social pressure" might have made some feel "less than great"

Joe Brammer, the head of video game development studio Bulkhead, has addressed public backlash following controversial remarks he made regarding "crunch" practices during the creation of the shooter game Wardogs.

In an industry interview, Brammer initially suggested that intense overtime is an expected part of the studio's culture, implying that developers who object to such conditions might not be a good fit for the team. The comments drew swift criticism from the gaming community, prompting the executive to clarify his stance on labor practices at his company.

To defend his studio's reputation, Brammer explained that the overtime period in question was limited to two extra hours a day for four weeks following a missed milestone. He maintained that this extra work was entirely voluntary, noting that several employees opted out without facing any professional repercussions, though he admitted that social pressures within the team could still make those individuals feel uncomfortable. He also pointed to several worker-friendly initiatives at the studio, including experimental four-day work weeks, a full month of paid time off in December, and a substantial profit-sharing model designed to ensure that staff are rewarded for their dedication.