A Bold Approach to Transparency

Developer confidence is often measured by marketing hype, but the team behind Wardogs—a tactical military simulation FPS—is taking a different route. Ahead of its September early access launch, the studio has published a candid list of reasons why players might consider not purchasing their game. This refreshing honesty has clearly resonated with the gaming community, as Wardogs has rapidly climbed the Steam charts to become the platform's top-selling premium title.


Setting Realistic Expectations

The developers at Bulkhead are eager to manage expectations from day one, explicitly addressing potential pain points in their latest development update. Key warnings shared by the team include:


  • Content Availability: The team admits the game currently faces a content drought. Post-launch efforts will focus primarily on bug fixes and stability rather than frequent feature updates.
  • Pricing Concerns: With a $39.99 pre-order price tag, the studio explicitly tells skeptical players: «If the price feels too high for an early access game, please don't buy it yet. Wait until the game has more of what you want, and consider it then.»
  • Player Retention: Bulkhead acknowledges that early hype often fades. They are preparing for a natural decline in daily active users and are warning fans against typical 'dead game' narratives often pushed by social media creators.
  • Monetization Philosophy: The studio has committed to avoiding predatory microtransactions during early access, promising that in-game currency will be strictly earned through gameplay.

Learning from the Past

The developer also addressed its history with the previous project, Battalion 1944. Reflecting on the struggles of that title, which saw declining player counts and eventual studio silence, the developers acknowledged that trust must be rebuilt. Regarding their past performance, the studio stated: «If you still don't trust our studio because of Battalion 1944, don't rush to buy Wardogs. We hope our actions speak louder than words.»


By preemptively tackling common industry criticisms—such as the obsession with concurrent player numbers and the 'dead game' cycle—Bulkhead is attempting to cultivate a sustainable, dedicated community rather than chasing short-term viral success. For those interested in the project, the beta phase for Wardogs begins on August 21, ahead of the full early access release on September 10.