You ever get the feeling that a game is about to make a big splash, but nobody you know is talking about it yet? That’s where I’ve been with Wardogs, the 100-player milsim FPS that I haven’t stopped thinking about for weeks.

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Wardogs has steadily built buzz over the past year, recently eclipsing a million wishlists. Developer Bulkhead held a closed beta this past weekend for those who pre-ordered the $40 early access release, which reached over 100,000 peak Steam players on Sunday—more simultaneous players than Squad, Hell Let Loose, or Arma has ever seen on PC.

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In a beta debrief video published today, game director Howard Philpott said nearly 500,000 total players tried Wardogs. ‘The reaction from the FPS community has been insane,’ Philpott said, ‘with nearly half a million unique players showing up to play the closed beta the same week as Call of Duty’s beta and Battlefield 6’s massive update.’

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A Shift in Tastes

I don’t share these figures to stoke obsessive number comparisons between very different flavors of shooter, but to point out how different it is for an FPS as crunchy and complex as Wardogs to already have an audience this large.

I reckon it speaks to a shift in tastes that’s been in progress since PUBG and Escape From Tarkov came around. Wardogs is neither a battle royale nor an extraction shooter, but the popularity of those genres has set the groundwork for its shared qualities to be instantly accepted—milsim stuff like realistic ballistics, large maps, and restrictive inventory isn’t as niche as it once was.

It also helps that Wardogs makes a good impression with its economy hook. Players have a persistent wallet of in-game money used for buying guns, unlocking gear, tipping pilots, and bribing medics to save your life. Money is earned by doing anything useful: killing enemies, reviving teammates, capturing objectives, or giving someone a ride. It’s a fun, freeform system for encouraging teamplay through selfish desires (cash money).

Wardogs enters early access on September 10.

Why Wardogs is Making Waves

The key to Wardogs’ success lies in its blend of realistic gameplay and rewarding economy mechanics. By giving players a tangible reason to work together and cooperate, the game creates a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that’s hard to find in other FPS titles.

Furthermore, Wardogs’ commitment to realistic ballistics and large maps creates a sense of immersion and authenticity that’s rare in modern FPS games. By combining these elements with a unique economy system, Wardogs has managed to create a truly unique gaming experience that’s captivating a large and dedicated audience.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that Wardogs is at the forefront of a new trend. By embracing the complexity and realism of milsim gameplay, the game is appealing to a wide range of players who are looking for a more immersive and challenging experience.

Conclusion

With nearly 500,000 players participating in the closed beta, it’s clear that Wardogs is making a big splash in the gaming world. By combining realistic gameplay, rewarding economy mechanics, and a unique blend of milsim and FPS elements, the game is creating a sense of excitement and anticipation that’s hard to find in other titles.

As Wardogs enters early access on September 10, it’s clear that this game is one to watch. With its unique blend of gameplay mechanics and its dedicated community, Wardogs is poised to make a big impact in the gaming world.