A Brand-New Early Access FPS Is Topping the Steam Charts
A new first-person shooter, Wardogs, has sold over 1 million copies on Steam Early Access launch day, becoming the fourth-most played game on the platform.
Wardogs, a first-person shooter developed by Bulkhead and published by Team 17, has entered Steam Early Access and immediately topped the platform's most-played charts. Within hours of launch, the game surpassed 250,000 concurrent players, placing it fourth behind Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. The achievement follows a rapid rise in visibility, with the title securing over 1 million wishlists on Steam prior to its release.
The game's launch day success marks a significant milestone for Wardogs, which had previously set a player record during a brief open beta the prior weekend. During that phase, the game peaked at just over 245,000 players, demonstrating strong initial interest. The developer emphasized that the current player count has already exceeded this benchmark, signaling robust engagement from the community.
Wardogs distinguishes itself within the FPS genre by positioning itself as a more hardcore experience compared to casual shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield, while remaining less punishing than titles such as Escape From Tarkov or Squad. The game's core mode, King of the Hill, features 100 players divided into three teams competing to control a gradually shrinking zone.
The announcement also revealed plans for a PlayStation 5 and Xbox release in 2028, expanding the game's potential audience beyond PC. Developer Bulkhead highlighted the significance of reaching 1 million sales at launch, noting that the milestone reflects player trust despite efforts to temper expectations during the game's reveal period.