Wardogs, the upcoming first-person shooter from Bulkhead, has a confirmed Steam Early Access launch date. The game arrives on Thursday, 10 September 2026, at a price of US$39.99.
The announcement follows a closed alpha held from 7–9 August, with strong online feedback building on the response to an earlier playtest. Players can find further release details through the Steam Early Access listing.
A middle ground between accessible and realistic shooters
Bulkhead, the developer previously known for Battalion 1944, is designing Wardogs to sit between accessible shooters such as Call of Duty and Battlefield, and more demanding titles including Squad and Escape From Tarkov.
Large-scale warfare is only part of the formula. Players can take on the role of arms dealers, selling weapons to teammates, while in-game cash plays a significant role in the wider experience. Actions also earn XP towards permanent progression, a system the source material compares with RuneScape.
Early player reactions are promising
FPS creator TheTacticalBrit said Wardogs could be “incredibly successful”, pointing to its “wow moments” and pick-up-and-play structure. That approach sets it apart from shooters built around strict realism.
Helicopter combat also attracted attention. GhostGamingGG claimed that flying helicopters in Wardogs “absolutely destroys Battlefield 6’s air mechanics”. Melandryu described the weekend as one of their best beta experiences in many years, although the event was technically an alpha.
Pre-orders include access to a closed beta
Anyone who pre-orders Wardogs will be able to participate in a closed beta weekend scheduled for 21–23 August. The event is intended to give players an early look at the game while testing its large-scale warfare, servers and core systems before Early Access begins.
Joe Brammer, the game’s chief executive, has framed Wardogs as an FPS for “dad gamers”. The design aims to make every action valuable to the team, whether a player is fighting enemies directly or contributing in another way.
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A busy September launch window
There is now only a short wait before players can try Wardogs. Its September arrival will place it among a crowded group of releases, while it also competes for attention with the looming presence of GTA 6.
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