Wardogs, the new tactical shooter developed by UK studio Bulkhead, has achieved a significant milestone by selling over one million copies and attracting more than 350,000 concurrent players within hours of its Steam early access launch. This rapid surge in popularity led to server queues, with many players encountering difficulties joining matches immediately due to congestion.
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, expressed his astonishment at the sales figures, especially considering the game's approach to its early access release. "To cross a million copies sold as we launch into early access is mental," Brammer stated. He highlighted the studio's deliberate strategy of being transparent about the game's features and even releasing a "10 Reasons NOT to Buy" trailer to temper expectations and avoid blind hype. The success of reaching over a million players signifies a substantial achievement for the team.
Brammer emphasized that the game is still in its early access phase, with plans for ongoing fixes, improvements, and further development. He encouraged players to continue engaging with the game, providing feedback, and sharing notable in-game moments. The studio views player input as crucial during this developmental stage.
Wardogs features matches where up to 100 players engage in three-way battles for control points, integrating tactical shooting with vehicle combat, base construction elements, and destructible environments. Currently available exclusively on PC via Steam for £36.99, Bulkhead has confirmed that PlayStation 5 and Xbox versions are planned for release in 2028, though a specific date has not yet been provided.
Bulkhead anticipates that player interest will naturally stabilize over time. The studio intends to release content updates gradually rather than aiming to maintain peak launch-day player counts indefinitely, focusing on sustained development and community feedback.