Most developers spend their entire marketing budget telling you why their game is awesome. BULKHEAD, the studio behind the tactical shooter WARDOGS published by Team17, did the opposite: they released a brutally honest video listing 10 reasons why you shouldn't buy the game at launch. The result? WARDOGS quickly became the top-selling paid game on Steam.

What is WARDOGS?

WARDOGS is a tactical FPS that drops 100 players split into three rival teams onto a destructible battlefield. Players earn persistent in-game currency by fighting, reviving teammates, and other actions, spending it on weapons, gear, and vehicles each life. The game launches in Early Access on Steam on September 10 for $39.99. Pre-orders guarantee access to the closed beta running August 21-23.

10 Warnings from the Developer

BULKHEAD's video lays out realistic expectations every player should know before buying:

1. Lack of content: After Early Access launch, the studio will focus on bug fixes, balancing, player feedback, and a single new map, rather than frequent content updates.
2. Price concerns: The developer admits $39.99 is a lot for an unfinished game and suggests refunds if you’re not satisfied.
3. Player base expectations: The studio predicts the player count will drop significantly after launch, with 3-5k daily concurrent players considered a healthy community.
4. Possible monetization models after 1.0
5. Modest graphics and performance
6. Development priorities may change
7. Proximity-based voice chat
8. Limited controller support
9. Death consequences: Players lose purchased gear when killed and must find transport to return to the battlefield.
10. Battalion 1944 history: BULKHEAD openly acknowledges their previous game Battalion 1944 dropped to 50-200 daily players and that they cut off communication after their publisher relationship ended.

Why Did This Honesty Work?

BULKHEAD also confirmed there will be no monetization during Early Access: no in-game currency, no gold bars, no status skins for sale. The only exception is an optional supporter edition with a handful of cosmetics. Prices will increase as the game develops, but the Early Access launch price is set at $39.99.

This radical transparency was seen by players as a sign of trust. The studio’s clear understanding of its audience and limitations stood out in a market used to overhyped promises.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does WARDOGS release?

The game launches in Early Access on Steam for $39.99 on September 10, 2026.

When is the WARDOGS closed beta?

Pre-order customers get access to the closed beta from August 21 to 23, 2026.

Are there in-game purchases in WARDOGS?

During Early Access, there will be no monetization except for an optional supporter edition with a few cosmetics.