BULKHEAD has announced that WARDOGS will enter Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026. The tactical shooter will first hold a Closed Beta Weekend from August 21 through August 23, giving pre-order customers a chance to play before launch.
Pre-orders are already available through the Steam store page, and every pre-order includes access to the beta. BULKHEAD says WARDOGS has generated almost one million wishlists, giving the studio a sizable audience ahead of its Early Access release.
WARDOGS Builds Its Matches Around Cash and Combined-Arms Combat
WARDOGS supports matches with three teams and up to 100 players, mixing tactical gunplay with infantry and vehicle combat, construction, and destruction. Cash sits at the center of each match: helping the team earns money, which can then be spent on loadouts and riskier tactics.
Players can fight for control of the Hot Zone to earn double cash, buy a ghillie suit for stealthier sniping, or bring a tank into the battle. Local voice chat will also be available, allowing allies and enemies to communicate during these large-scale encounters.
Early Access will cost $39.99 USD. BULKHEAD plans to raise the price gradually as more updates and features arrive, so the launch price will be the lowest planned price for the game. There will be no in-game monetization during Early Access, although an optional Supporters Edition will offer cosmetics for players who want to back the project further.
At launch, WARDOGS will include three maps, with three variations for each one. BULKHEAD expects its early development work to focus on stability, performance, balance, bug fixes, and community feedback while the team continues building the systems planned for the full 1.0 release. A release window for version 1.0 has not been announced.
BULKHEAD CEO Joe Brammer acknowledged that the game still has rough edges and a long development road ahead. He said the Closed Beta is meant to let players judge the current build for themselves rather than simply rely on promises about what WARDOGS may become.
Will you try WARDOGS during the Closed Beta or wait for Early Access? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay connected through X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Source: DualShockers
Wardogs
Developed by Bulkhead
