In the burgeoning multiplayer shooter Wardogs, a peculiar social phenomenon is emerging: players are actively avoiding the Lonestar faction. This avoidance stems from a growing stigma that the blue team, Lonestar, attracts the least experienced and most ineffective players, consequently leading to a higher rate of losses for that faction.
Wardogs features three distinct playable teams: Lonestar (blue), Valkyra (red), and Manticore (green). While the developer has stated that these factions do not significantly impact gameplay mechanics, a strong social dynamic has developed around Lonestar. Reports suggest that this faction consistently struggles to achieve objectives, often due to the perceived lower skill level of its players. One theory posits that Lonestar's status as the initial selectable option leads new players to choose it by default, unintentionally creating a concentration of novices.
The negative reputation has also led to Lonestar matches filling up slower, as more experienced players prioritize the other factions. This can create a difficult situation for newcomers who may be shut out of playing as Valkyra or Manticore. In some extreme cases, matches have reportedly been delayed as players refuse to select Lonestar, preventing the game from starting due to insufficient player counts.
Anecdotal evidence suggests the issue is widespread, with some players reporting never having won a match while playing as Lonestar, contrasting with their success on other teams. Whether this is purely coincidental or a statistically significant outcome remains to be seen. Developers may hope that as the player base matures and gains more experience, this factional imbalance will naturally rectify itself.
Wardogs has achieved considerable success since its launch, surpassing one million copies sold before release and maintaining a high player count on Steam. Ongoing positive word-of-mouth and even a current discount are likely to continue attracting new players. Console players will have to wait longer to join the fray, as Wardogs is slated for release on Xbox and PlayStation 5 in 2028.