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Believe the hype for Wardogs, possibly the next great multiplayer FPS
PC Gamer reports that Wardogs, Bulkhead’s forthcoming 100-player military shooter, made a strong impression during a closed playtest. The game aims to sit between the realism of Arma-style milsims and the accessibility of Battlefield, combining large-scale territorial combat with logistics and a persistent in-game economy; its success could broaden the appeal of more tactical multiplayer FPS games.
Players earn money for combat, capturing objectives, healing and transport, then risk it on equipment, while also being able to tip or bribe others for assistance. The article notes concerns that the economy may encourage overly cautious play and that flexible, equipment-based roles can leave teams without essential specialists. Wardogs is due to enter two years of early access on 10 September, with pre-orders priced at $40; Bulkhead says there will be no early-access monetisation and that skins will be earned rather than sold, except through a supporter pack.
In short
- Wardogs blends Battlefield accessibility with Arma-style scale and logistics.
- Its economy rewards teamwork but may encourage cautious play.
- Early access begins on 10 September.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Wardogs demonstrates thoughtful design that could meaningfully advance multiplayer shooter design. By combining tactical depth with accessibility, implementing a cosmetics-focused monetisation model that avoids pay-to-win mechanics, and introducing an economy system that rewards diverse contributions, it addresses a genuine market gap between hardcore milsims and casual shooters. The 100-player scale with territorial control offers scope for emergent gameplay that could set it apart from established competitors.
The case against
The game's core design contains tensions that may undermine its ambitions. An economy system that requires players to invest earnings risks creating overly defensive gameplay that discourages engaging encounters; meanwhile, flexible roles without specialist requirements could fracture team cohesion when organised play matters most. A two-year early-access window at £32 entry represents a substantial commitment for an unproven title, and the complexity of simultaneous economy, logistics, and tactical gameplay may prove overwhelming to the accessibility it claims to target.
Explained simply
Military shooters range from highly realistic simulations, which demand time and specialist knowledge, to more accessible games built around fast matches and familiar roles. Bulkhead is developing Wardogs as a large team game that combines territory battles with supplies, transport and an in-game economy.
Players can earn money by fighting, taking objectives, healing or transporting teammates, then spend it on equipment or offer it to other players for help. This system could reward teamwork, but may also affect how boldly people play and whether teams have the skills they need.
The game’s approach matters because it tests whether detailed, tactical play can appeal to a wider multiplayer audience. Its design choices around money, equipment and team roles will shape how matches work and what players can expect.