Much-wishlisted 100-player shooter Wardogs gets an early access release date and promises refunds for anyone unhappy with the closed beta

Bulkhead, the developer of the much anticipated shooter Wardogs, has announced that the game will be released on Steam early access on September 10th. Pre-orders are now open, guaranteeing access to the game's closed beta, which will be accessible on August 21st-23rd on Steam. This beta will last for a single weekend, allowing players to test the game before its full release.

Wardogs will be priced at $40 during early access, with the developer planning to increase the price to $60 at full release. Early access will not feature any in-game monetisation, but players can expect paid cosmetics after release. During early access, only the Supporters edition cosmetics will be available. Wardogs matches take place in large open spaces that can accommodate up to 100 players.

The game features combined-arms combat, similar to Battlefield, but with aspects of logistical focus akin to Hell Let Loose, Squad, or Arma. The game will debut with three maps, each featuring three variations, along with several vehicles and weapons. After the early access period, which is expected to last around 24 months, Wardogs will continue to receive updates and improvements.

The developer has been open and transparent about Wardogs' marketing since its reveal, maintaining regular communication with players about the project's goals. The studio has preemptively addressed concerns about game performance versus visuals and the player count controversy. To help players understand what to expect from early access, Bulkhead has released a pre-order trailer titled "10 Reasons NOT to Buy."

This trailer provides an idea of what the game entails and aims to clarify any potential reservations. Wardogs' main mode, Control Zone, involves three rival teams of mercenaries competing to capture key locations and secure cash. The cash earned through these missions is used to purchase weapons, vehicles, and other useful items in the game's meta game component.

The more successful players are in their missions, even for simple tasks like transporting other players in a helicopter, the more money they accumulate. Wardogs has gained significant attention, with over 800,000 Wishlists on Steam as of the latest update.