Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer stated that the studio screens job applicants' social media for anti-crunch messaging and will not hire those who have publicly opposed workplace crunch. Brammer defended the practice as transparent studio policy, claiming workers who own company shares receive payouts from successful game launches as compensation for intensive work periods.
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead studio, apologized after comments about not hiring people who tweet against crunch sparked backlash. He clarified that monitoring applicants' social media was informal discussion about studio culture, and defended Bulkhead's practices including a four-day work week and staff profit-sharing.
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the GTA-like game MindsEye, is permanently closing following multiple rounds of layoffs and workplace controversies including crunch accusations and unlawful employee monitoring. Multiple employees confirmed the shutdown on LinkedIn, with the studio winding down operations while facing ongoing scrutiny from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain over worker treatment.
Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer stated the studio deliberately avoids hiring people who publicly criticize crunch, screening social media during recruitment. While acknowledging crunch is inevitable in game development, Brammer emphasized Bulkhead expects hard work and offers share bonuses to compensate, though not all employees receive these benefits.