Bulkhead CEO Announces Studio Holiday and Tells Fans to Play GTA 6 Instead
The CEO of Wardogs developer Bulkhead, Joe Brammer, announced that the entire studio will take a month-long break in December following the game’s massive early access success. He encouraged players to temporarily disengage as well, jokingly telling them to “fuck off” and suggesting they spend time playing GTA 6 instead. The tactical FPS has seen over 400,000 concurrent players at launch and is estimated to have sold around five million copies.
In November 2026, Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead Studios, announced that the entire studio would take a month-long holiday in December following the overwhelming success of their tactical FPS, Wardogs, which launched in early access in September. The game reached over 400,000 concurrent players at launch and is estimated to have sold around five million copies—far exceeding the team’s original target of 5,000 concurrent players. Brammer cited the team's intense effort, including employees working beyond their job descriptions and wearing multiple hats, as justification for the break. He publicly encouraged players to “fuck off” during December, jokingly suggesting they play GTA 6 instead, while also acknowledging that player numbers would naturally decline after the initial hype. This announcement followed earlier controversy, including a viral video titled “10 Reasons NOT To Buy Wardogs,” which paradoxically fueled interest despite its negative framing.
The background reveals a studio that had anticipated modest success but was blindsided by massive demand. Brammer previously stated on X (formerly Twitter) that such player attrition was expected and not a sign of failure, emphasizing long-term sustainability over short-term spikes. The team’s culture appears to value authenticity and self-awareness, even in moments of extreme popularity. Bulkhead, known for its unorthodox marketing, has consistently defied industry norms—such as discouraging crunch culture by refusing to hire
Bulkhead’s decision to encourage players to “fuck off” during December could signal a broader shift in developer-player dynamics, where studios assert greater control over community expectations. While such blunt messaging may alienate some fans, it also reflects growing fatigue with performative engagement and the pressure to maintain constant online presence. This approach may resonate with players who value authenticity over corporate polish, particularly in an industry increasingly criticized for burnout and exploitative practices. A comparable precedent is Valve’s handling of Steam’s community features—where user expectations often clash with platform priorities—but Bulkhead’s stance is more direct and self-referential. The move could influence how other indie studios manage post-launch periods, especially those facing unexpected success. What may follow is a trend toward more transparent, boundary-setting communication from developers, though it remains to be seen whether such ta