As Wardogs Surpasses 200k Steam Concurrents, Bulkhead Expects Normal Hype Decline

Developer Bulkhead is openly addressing player metrics and realistic long-term expectations after the closed beta for its milsim shooter, Wardogs, surpassed 200,000 concurrent players on Steam. Following the surge in popularity, Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer responded to a clip on X to discuss the unexpected numbers and the inevitable decline that follows initial hype cycles.

According to Brammer, the game will likely continue to lose players over the coming months as the initial hype subsides. However, he emphasized that a reduction in player numbers does not indicate a failing product. The development team originally planned for a concurrent baseline of around 5,000 players, intending to maintain a healthy playerbase while building toward the official 1.0 release version.

Game director Howard Philpott previously addressed similar expectations in a video published last month titled "10 reasons not to buy Wardogs." Philpott explained that the studio anticipates a significant early player count followed by a natural drop-off over the subsequent months. Rather than chasing constant top-charting metrics, Bulkhead's primary goal is to foster a sustainable, close-knit community of 3,000 to 5,000 daily concurrent players who genuinely enjoy the experience, allowing new users to join an active environment at any time.

Wardogs is scheduled for its official launch on September 10, with pre-orders granting access to the closed beta period.