The hype surrounding Bulkhead’s upcoming WWII first-person shooter, Wardogs, is reaching fever pitch. The game, promising intense 100-player battles and a deep milsim experience, has already amassed over a million wishlists on Steam. Now, the final closed beta is about to kick off, and the response from fans has been nothing short of astounding.
The Final Countdown
Wardogs is entering its last closed beta phase before launching into early access on September 10th. This final test will be crucial for Bulkhead to fine-tune the servers and gameplay ahead of the full release. However, the sheer volume of interest has already exceeded expectations.
“We’re essentially conducting a controlled burn,” explained Brammer, a developer at Bulkhead. “We want to see what breaks under pressure before we open the floodgates. A full-scale launch with 100,000 players spamming the server browser is something we need to prepare for.”
The beta serves as a vital stress test, and Bulkhead is daring players to “obliterate our servers” in the latest trailer. While a free-to-play model might have allowed for a more open beta, the developers are focused on simulating the expected player load at launch.
Fanatical Devotion
Based on previous tests, Bulkhead is anticipating a massive turnout. One earlier playtest saw nearly 500,000 players attempting to connect simultaneously, overwhelming the servers and preventing many from actually playing for the first hour.
Today, Bulkhead opened the firing range ahead of the official beta start, allowing players to test weapons 24 hours early. The response was incredible: tens of thousands of fans flooded the range, shooting at targets and driving vehicles in circles. This level of enthusiasm has left the developers both amazed and slightly overwhelmed.
“WHY ARE 25,000 OF YOU GETTING INTO THE SHOOTING RANGE? YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY,” Brammer posted on social media today. The firing range eventually peaked at a staggering 30,000 concurrent players. While Wardogs may have some initial hurdles to overcome, its unique format and solid fundamentals are clearly resonating with gamers.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming early access launch on September 10th promises to be a significant moment for Bulkhead and the gaming community. The developers are working hard to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, but the sheer scale of interest presents a unique challenge.
Whether you’re a seasoned milsim veteran or a newcomer to WWII shooters, Wardogs is shaping up to be an exciting and ambitious title. The passion and dedication shown by the community are a testament to the game’s potential.
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Morgan has been writing for PC Gamer since 2018, first as a freelancer and currently as a staff writer. He has also appeared on Polygon, Kotaku, Fanbyte, and PCGamesN. He’s very happy to have a real job now.
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