BULKHEAD and team17 have announced that Season 2 of 100-player tactical FPS WARDOGS will launch October 15th, bringing a substantial update to the game following its successful Steam Early Access launch in September.
Throughout Season 2, BULKHEAD will introduce four new weapons, four new vehicles, three new buildables, a new weather preset and an experimental in-game wager system, alongside extensive changes to combat, building, progression and faction balance. This update marks the next step in BULKHEAD’s ongoing development of WARDOGS, building on player feedback and gameplay data gathered since launch.
You will have access to four new weapons, including the TCX-SPR Assault Rifle, M14 DMR, PP-19 Bizon SMG and Evo-3 Ultra LMG, supported by a range of new attachments. The vehicle roster also expands with the introduction of the Wolf-110, its armed assault variant, the T-72B3 main battle tank and the Flakpanzer Gepard anti-air vehicle. Three new buildable options, including an MG Nest, Large Shelter and Wooden Step, offer additional ways for players to fortify positions and defend key objectives. Season 2 also introduces a new rain weather preset, bringing changing battlefield conditions that affect both visibility, engagement ranges and sound. Rain interacts with the environment, including damaged and destroyed structures, while thunder is synchronised across the server and can temporarily mask footsteps, creating new tactical opportunities during combat.
Another major addition is the Experimental Wager Vendor feature, a new system that allows you to stake you in-game cash on your own performance. You can select objectives with additional conditions to increase potential payouts, introducing a new optional high-stakes risk-and-reward dynamic to the gameplay, for a price. This is the first pass of a very experimental early access feature we intend to expand over time and genuinely may add/remove from the game throughout the season if it becomes too exploitable.
Alongside the new content, Season 2 delivers a significant overhaul of several core gameplay systems. Combat balancing includes adjustments to weapon damage, recoil and suppression, with the aim of establishing clearer roles across weapon classes. Full Season 2 patch notes will be revealed next week.
Faction balance is another key focus of the update. Following player feedback and analysis of match data, BULKHEAD is running a social experiment and recruitment drive for players to join the blue ‘lonestar’ faction – the team currently with the lowest win % in season 1. These include adjustments to uniforms and spawn positions, alongside Season 2-exclusive cash and XP bonuses for Lonestar players. Additional measures, including vendor discounts for teams falling significantly behind and restrictions on late-match team switching, have also been introduced.
“We’ve learned a huge amount from watching people play WARDOGS since launch. Season 2 gives players more weapons, vehicles and ways to play, but just as importantly, we’ve been working through the feedback and making changes to the systems that matter every match. Early Access is about continuing to build the game with our community, and this is the first major step in that process.” said Joe Brammer, CEO at BULKHEAD.
Season 2 also brings minor improvements to squad coordination, vehicle handling, controller responsiveness and progression, alongside additional rewards for teamplay and logistics. Further performance optimizations, bug fixes and server stability improvements form part of the update, with the full patch notes going live next week.
The release follows a strong Early Access debut for WARDOGS, which launched on Steam on September 10 and surpassed three million copies sold, reaching a peak of more than 425,000 concurrent players on Steam.
For more information, please contact:
WARDOGS
Stefano Petrullo – CEO – Renaissance PR
stefano@renaissancepr.biz
Sophie Carter – Renaissance PR
BULKHEAD
Becky Attard – PR for BULKHEAD
Becky@boostcomms.biz
About BULKHEAD
BULKHEAD is a video game development studio based in Derby, UK, with an ambition to make its mark on the FPS genre. Founded in 2015 by a small group of friends, the studio has expanded from creating acclaimed indie titles such as The Turing Test and Battalion 1944 to building a larger team focused on ambitious multiplayer experiences including WARDOGS.
The studio was recently acquired from Tencent by a newly formed consortium comprising SMG, everplay and Hiro Capital. BULKHEAD’s latest title, WARDOGS, is being published by Team17.
About team17
Founded in 1990, team17 is a leading developer, video games label and creative partner for developers around the world. Part of everplay Group plc, team17 has an extensive portfolio of more than 140 titles that encapsulates the spirit of independent games.
team17’s portfolio of multi-award-winning and award-nominated in-house brands includes Hell Let Loose, Golf With Your Friends, The Escapists and the iconic Worms franchise, alongside games label partner titles including Date Everything, Dredge and the Overcooked! franchise.
Visit www.team17.com for more information.
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