The breakout tactical first-person shooter Wardogs is exceeding the launch performance of Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2 on Steam, according to recent data. The game, developed by Bulkhead, entered early access on September 10 and quickly achieved a peak of 428,666 concurrent players, establishing itself as one of the most-played titles on Valve's platform. Initial sales figures reported 1 million copies sold on its first day, with that number climbing to 1.25 million by the second day, and Bulkhead later announced 2 million sales within five days.
Analysis from Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics indicates that Wardogs has now sold 2.2 million copies on Steam. This figure positions it ahead of Arc Raiders, which sold 1.7 million copies, and Helldivers 2, with 1 million, when comparing their respective launch periods on Steam. Furthermore, Elliott's data suggests that Wardogs has generated approximately $70 million in revenue solely through Steam sales, a sum that surpasses the total revenue earned by Bungie's Marathon across both PC and console platforms to date. Elliott noted this as a reminder that for live-service games, community engagement can be more impactful than budget or pedigree.
The long-term momentum of Wardogs will be tested by upcoming releases such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Grand Theft Auto 6. While both Arc Raiders and Helldivers 2 saw sustained interest months after their launches and went on to sell millions more copies, Wardogs is currently in early access and is expected to remain so for one to two years, with a console version slated for 2028. The developers have stated on the game's Steam page that they do not intend for the early access period to be extended. Bulkhead boss Joe Brammer recently indicated that Season 2 will introduce significant new content and changes as the game progresses into its next development phase.
Elliott believes Wardogs' growth trajectory is far from complete, acknowledging the need for ongoing maintenance and a robust roadmap to reach the levels of established titles like Arc Raiders. He described Wardogs as a considerable success, noting its $40 price point appeals to a niche audience and offers a compelling value proposition below the typical $70 AAA price. The game has seen its user reviews shift to 'Very Positive' after initial launch issues were addressed. Viral gameplay clips have highlighted player experiences, including a notable in-game dynamic where players reportedly avoid the Lonestar faction due to a perception that it attracts less skilled players and results in more losses.