From Press Release:
DERBY, UK – October 15, 2026 – BULKHEAD and publisher team17 have released season 2 for WARDOGS, marking the first major update for the hugely successful 100-player tactical FPS since its Steam Early Access debut last month.
Players can expect new firepower, fresh tactical opportunities and changes to core gameplay systems as BULKHEAD continues to develop WARDOGS alongside its growing community.
Season 2 brings a different kind of battlefield to WARDOGS. For the first time, players will have to contend with heavy rain and thunderstorms, changing how they approach engagements as visibility and sound become increasingly important. Thunder can temporarily mask footsteps, creating opportunities for coordinated assaults, flanking manoeuvres and unexpected encounters.
The update also brings four new weapons, four vehicles and three buildable structures to expand the tactical options available to players. These include the T-72B3 main battle tank, Flakpanzer Gepard anti-air vehicle and new defensive fortifications.
For players willing to take a gamble, the experimental Wager Vendor introduces an additional layer of risk and reward, allowing them to stake in-game cash on their own performance for the chance of bigger payouts.
However, Season 2 isn’t simply about adding more content. Following a month of watching how millions of players approach the game, BULKHEAD has made substantial changes to combat balance, progression, teamplay and faction dynamics.
One of the more unusual changes sees the studio actively encouraging players to join Lonestar, the underperforming blue faction, through exclusive cash and XP incentives. The initiative is part of BULKHEAD’s ongoing experimentation with the game’s three-faction warfare and the evolving strategies of its community.
Joe Brammer, CEO of BULKHEAD, said:
“Players have already found ways to play WARDOGS that we never expected, and they’ve certainly not been shy about telling us what needs improving. That’s exactly what we wanted from Early Access.
“Season 2 is about taking everything we’ve learned over the past month and putting it into action. There’s plenty of new stuff to play with, but the changes under the hood are just as important. We’re building this game with our players, and we’re only getting started.”
The Season 2 launch also follows another major moment for the WARDOGS community. Last night, BULKHEAD revealed the winning entry in its #WARDOGS100K competition, awarding one player an incredible $100,000 in real-world cash for their gameplay clip.
The winning clip was selected from thousands of community submissions, with a further 99 finalists receiving $100,000 each in WARDOGS in-game currency.
Watch the $100K Winner Reveal: WARDOGS – The $100K Clip Revealed
Following its September 10 Early Access launch, WARDOGS has already surpassed three million copies sold and recorded a peak of more than 425,000 concurrent players on Steam.
Season 2 marks the next chapter for the Derby-based studio, with further content, refinements and updates planned throughout Early Access.
WARDOGS Season 2 is OUT NOW on Steam.
Full Patch Notes: https://store.steampowered.
com/news/app/1867240/view/ 670630562731396445 Steam: WARDOGS on Steam
###
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.
