BULKHEAD plans a December break for the WARDOGS team after Early Access launch
CEO Joe Brammer suggested players spend the month with Grand Theft Auto VI while the studio takes time to recover.
BULKHEAD plans to give the entire WARDOGS team December off, pausing development of the tactical shooter after its Early Access launch. CEO Joe Brammer has a suggestion for players looking for something to do during the break: try Grand Theft Auto VI.
Speaking to Edge magazine, Brammer said, “Go play GTA 6, we need to detox.” He also said team members had taken on work outside their usual job descriptions as they pushed toward the game’s success.
WARDOGS entered Steam Early Access on September 10 after a beta that drew far more players than BULKHEAD had expected. It sold 1.25 million copies and passed 300,000 concurrent players after launch, then reached 2 million sales within five days. The studio also worked through server pressure, queue times and failed joins.
BULKHEAD is continuing to develop WARDOGS toward its 1.0 release. On October 21, the studio said it had begun tightening regional access and planned to lower the maximum server ping to 175, citing cheating concerns. A month away from development could leave new bug reports and balance complaints waiting for the team in January.
Brammer has discussed the workload before. To meet a June 2026 deadline, he said he asked staff to work two extra hours from Monday through Thursday for four weeks. He described the time as optional and said four employees opted out without consequences, while acknowledging that pressure within a close team could still make them uncomfortable.
He also said BULKHEAD had operated a four-day workweek for two years before launch deadlines prompted a return to five days, and that the studio wanted to bring the shorter week back.
What do you think of BULKHEAD’s plans for a December break? Follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, Telegram for more on WARDOGS after its Early Access launch.
Wardogs
Developed by Bulkhead
