BULKHEAD expected WARDOGS to draw between 5,000 and 10,000 concurrent players. Instead, the beta passed 245,000 concurrent players, leaving the studio to deal with an audience far beyond the scale it had prepared for.
CEO Joe Brammer discussed the gap during a conversation prompted by a video from streamer and YouTuber Enders. The response was clearly welcome, but it also exposed the practical strain that comes with supporting a sudden surge of players before launch.
Brammer joked about the unusual economics of the situation, saying, “After you’ve given us your money as well, we continue to support you. If you don’t pay, you’ve given me more money.”
We're trying something new. @EndersFPS made a great video for more 'competitive' players. It took a balanced but different view from within the FPS spectrum.
I thought I'd have a nice asymetric chat with him.
Let me know your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/SpZKl7d40x
— Joe Brammer (@Brammflakes) September 6, 2026
BULKHEAD has said it plans to keep monetization systems out of WARDOGS until version 1.0, a plan covered in the studio’s monetization plans. That leaves the team supporting a very large beta audience while carrying infrastructure and development costs before those systems arrive.
Brammer also kept expectations in check around the current attention. Rather than assuming the game would remain heavily praised for two months, he suggested that this level of interest might last for around 10 days.
Ending the beta gave BULKHEAD a chance to measure the pressure it could face at launch, then step back for some breathing room and time with family before the next demanding phase. WARDOGS is scheduled to enter Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026.
Brammer said the beta did not cause a major effect across other games, although Arma Reforger experienced a slight dip during the closed test before its player numbers recovered.
For BULKHEAD, the question is no longer whether players are interested in WARDOGS. The next test will come when that audience returns for Early Access, with the studio’s infrastructure and launch plans facing a crowd much larger than the original target.
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Wardogs
Developed by Bulkhead
