Wardogs, the upcoming multiplayer first-person shooter from the developers behind Battalion 1944, is set to enter early access on September 10. The game aims to occupy a middle ground between hardcore military simulations like Arma and more accessible shooters such as Battlefield, supporting up to 100 players on its servers.
The core gameplay loop, particularly in the playtest's main mode, involves three teams competing for control of a large map. The objective is to have the most players within a designated capture zone, with bonus points awarded for holding the more contested "hot zone" within it. This mode draws inspiration from the popular Arma 3 mod, Arma: King of the Hill.
A Unique Economic System
Where Wardogs distinguishes itself is its player-driven economy. Players earn in-game currency through various productive actions, including securing kills, defending objectives, healing teammates, and transporting them. This currency is then used to purchase loadouts, which can include weapons, armor, medical supplies, and gadgets. The game introduces an element akin to extraction shooters, where players invest their hard-earned cash into gear, creating a personal stake in their survival.
Players can also utilize their in-game currency to bribe other players for revives, a mechanic that encourages teamwork and adds a unique layer of player interaction. This economic system is designed to incentivize productive play and strategic risk-taking.
Blending Accessibility and Depth
While the gunplay is described as approachable, with weapons feeling "snappy," the game also incorporates deeper milsim elements such as building forward operating bases, constructing defenses, and managing supplies. This duality allows players to engage at a surface level by simply focusing on capturing objectives and engaging enemies, while also offering a more complex logistical metagame for those who delve deeper.
Developer Bulkhead Interactive has stated that the game will have a two-year early access period. Preorders are available, with the studio encouraging refunds if players are unsatisfied with the beta, which began on August 21. Bulkhead has committed to avoiding additional monetization during early access, with cosmetic items to be earned rather than purchased, excluding a potential supporter pack. Wardogs is being developed as a PC-first title and will support community servers.
Despite the confident early impression, the game may require balancing adjustments. Some playtesters noted a tendency for players to adopt overly cautious playstyles to maximize profit, leading to less aggressive objective play. The absence of formal class roles, with players able to purchase any available equipment like rocket launchers or defibrillators, can also lead to unorganized teams. However, this flexibility also allows for a less prescriptive player experience, where individuals are not locked into specific roles.
Bulkhead is working to make collaboration more natural by establishing clear objectives and simplifying logistics, with the prices of crucial gear kept low. This approach aims to foster natural teamwork within the less structured environment. The developer appears to be taking a community-focused approach, with early player feedback already shaping discussions around the game's development.