As Wardogs approaches its third season, developer Bulkhead has outlined significant changes aimed at addressing player feedback and improving the overall experience. The studio claims to have developed a sophisticated anti-cheat system utilizing machine learning and AI, which went live with bans for 185,000 accounts upon its implementation.
Bulkhead acknowledged missteps during Season 2, referring to it as a 'difficult second album' phase. Lead UI/UX director Howard Philpott stated in a recent video that the studio's intent to quickly respond to negative reviews with aggressive changes backfired, leading to a decline in player sentiment. The studio has learned from this experience and plans to be more deliberate in its future updates, resisting the urge to rapidly fix issues solely to appease vocal players.
Season 3 will introduce Sabatulo, a new map focused on urban environments designed to encourage closer-quarters combat and the use of shorter-range weaponry. This update also brings a significant overhaul to the game's progression system with multi-track unlocks. This change allows players to unlock items usable by a role by playing that role, alleviating the need to grind specific roles for desired gear. Bulkhead is working on a larger progression rework scheduled for 2027.
Additionally, a new 'Limited' mode will be added, removing high-tier equipment like advanced weapons and armor to create a more balanced environment for casual players. This mode aims to provide a less punishing experience for those who may be outmatched by fully kitted-out opponents.
The new anti-cheat system, described as one of the world's most sophisticated, was developed by analyzing 187 million hours of gameplay with AI assistance. Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer explained that the system was initially planned for later implementation but the game's popularity provided the necessary data for an earlier rollout. He noted that the development involved observing cheaters to understand and counter their evolving methods. While acknowledging that cheating is a persistent issue, Brammer expressed confidence that the new system will significantly improve the play experience. Season 3 is slated for release on November 12.