WARDOGS Closed Alpha Announced With 100-Player Battles Starting August 7

Developer BULKHEAD has announced the first WARDOGS Closed Alpha Playtest, giving selected players early access to its upcoming large-scale tactical shooter. The playtest will run from August 7 to August 9, 2026, exclusively on Steam.

Unlike traditional battle royale or extraction shooters, WARDOGS focuses on objective-based warfare featuring 100-player matches. Battles pit three factions against one another across randomized 2×2 km Control Zones, requiring teams to adapt their strategies as objectives and battlefields change.

The Closed Alpha will showcase combined-arms combat with helicopters, tanks, and artillery, alongside fully destructible environments that allow players to reshape the battlefield during matches. The game also features proximity voice chat to encourage squad communication and teamwork.

Another core gameplay system is the persistent economy. Players earn cash across multiple matches by capturing objectives, reviving teammates, transporting soldiers, delivering supplies, and supporting their team on the frontline. The currency can then be spent on weapons, equipment, and military vehicles before each battle.

Teams will also be able to construct Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to establish defensive positions, secure strategic locations, and reinforce key choke points throughout the map.

Players interested in joining the Closed Alpha can wishlist WARDOGS on Steam and follow BULKHEAD's official Twitch broadcasts, where the developer will distribute playtest invitations and share additional details ahead of the event.