In the ever-evolving landscape of first-person shooters, a new contender is emerging with a bold vision: Wardogs. Developed by Bulkhead, the studio behind Battalion 1944, Wardogs promises a unique blend of tactical warfare and accessible gameplay, aiming to bridge the gap between hardcore realism and casual fun.
The “Selfish Teamwork” Philosophy
One of the core tenets of Wardogs is what Joe Brammer, CEO and co-founder of Bulkhead, calls “selfish teamwork.” This innovative approach encourages players to contribute to their team’s success even when pursuing individual goals. “Let’s say you just want to make [in-game] cash,” Brammer explained. “The way you do that is by getting some kills… Obviously, you’re taking away from the other teams’ pool of players, but you’re also in the zone contributing [to the objective].” This mechanic aims to create a dynamic where individual actions directly impact the team’s overall performance, fostering a sense of interconnectedness even amidst chaotic battles.
Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer on the innovative gameplay mechanics in Wardogs.
This philosophy extends beyond individual cash acquisition. During internal playtests, even employees with limited gaming experience embraced this approach. “We’ve made them become gamers,” Brammer proudly stated. He recounted how a team of women in their twenties, not avid gamers by any stretch, found themselves strategically positioned during playtests, contributing to the team effort simply by observing and reacting to the battlefield. “One of them would be like ‘you watch the window, you watch the door,’ and they wouldn’t move,” he explained. “But because it matters how many people you have in the control zone, whoever had the operations team on their side was winning.”
Building a Game for Themselves
The development of Wardogs is driven by a desire to create a game that the team themselves would enjoy playing. Bulkhead’s previous title, Battalion 1944, focused on fast-paced arena combat reminiscent of Counter-Strike and Valorant. While successful, Brammer recognized a shift in his own gaming preferences. “I haven’t got time to be as good as the younger crowd now,” he admitted (though requested that phrase be omitted from the final article). This realization led to the creation of Wardogs, a game designed for players who appreciate tactical depth but also value accessibility and fun.
Wardogs aims to strike a balance between hardcore realism and accessible gameplay.
“It didn’s have to be a gap in the market for us [to develop Wardogs]; it just had to be something that we thought was cool,” Brammer explained. “And what we knew from Battalion 1944 was, when we make games that we want to play in our evenings, we make a better game because of it.” He added with a chuckle, “I’m 33 now; I think I was 25 when we started Battalion. I have a two-year-old now, so we’re all kind of becoming dad gamers.”
What to Expect from Wardogs
Wardogs currently has a closed pre-alpha playtest underway, offering a glimpse into the game’s ambitious scope and innovative mechanics. The full game is slated for an early access release later this year, promising 100-player matches, destructible environments, a cash-based metagame, skill progression, base-building, and a vast array of weapons and vehicles. With its unique blend of tactical depth and accessible gameplay, Wardogs aims to carve out its own niche in the crowded FPS landscape, offering something for both hardcore veterans and newcomers alike.
[[LINK_8: Will be released in early access]]
Source: Polygon
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