Depth is the Driver: FPS Dev Explains Why Publishers Don’t Understand Hardcore Shooters

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BULKHEAD, a studio based in the UK, recently unveiled the first trailer for WARDOGS, a fast-paced first-person shooter focused on intense combat. The game is planned for early access release in 2026, and early looks suggest BULKHEAD has a strong understanding of what makes a tactical shooter successful.

Joe Brammer, CEO of BULKHEAD and Executive Producer of WARDOGS, recently shared on X how proud he is of his team’s dedication over the last three years. He also explained that creating a tactical shooter is challenging, as many publishers and those focused solely on financial data don’t fully understand the genre.

WARDOGS Dev Explains Why Depth and Persistence are Crucial In Tactical Shooters

Escape from Tarkov is a highly impactful, realistic military shooter known for its intense and challenging gameplay. It’s a game where you can lose all your accumulated equipment quickly, creating a thrilling but unforgiving experience.

Losing can really challenge a gamer, but it’s what motivates them to try again and seek victory. According to Brammer, “Wardogs offers that challenging depth and the reason to keep playing, even after setbacks.”

According to Brammer, many publishers have tried to copy the gameplay of Escape from Tarkov, but they haven’t quite grasped what makes the game so enjoyable. He believes they’ve spent huge amounts of money attempting to create a simpler version, ultimately missing the core appeal of the original.

WARDOGS offers massive 100-player battles with three teams fighting to dominate a central control zone. Players will have access to a wide range of weapons, artillery, and vehicles like helicopters and tanks. However, the developers at BULKHEAD emphasize this isn’t an extraction shooter or a battle royale – it’s designed to be a pure, large-scale warfare experience.

In WARDOGS, players begin with $10,000 and can use that money to build a personalized arsenal of weapons, equipment, tools, and vehicles that they keep and upgrade throughout the game.

You can earn extra money during a match by completing objectives, helping teammates reach the battlefield, or reviving fallen squadmates. Any money you earn will stay with you for the next match, letting you buy even better equipment for future battles.

Players can also build and strengthen bases at important spots on the map, giving their team a strategic edge in battles.

“Depth is the driver. Persistence is the reason to come back. Wardogs has both,” said Brammer.

WARDOGS is an intense, action-filled game where you can destroy the environment using weapons like rocket launchers, tanks, and artillery. Success depends on working together, talking to your teammates, and making smart choices.

I was checking out WARDOGS on Steam, and it looks like they’re planning a fairly short early access period – somewhere between 12 and 18 months. The developers are also promising to keep adding new stuff like different ways to play, more weapons, and even more maps after the game initially launches, which is awesome!

Here is a list of what players can expect in the WARDOGS early-access:

– A 100 player, three team ‘King of the Hill’ experience.

– Large scale map with dynamic objective zones.

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– Cash & XP-based progression where every action earns rewards.

– Realistic gunplay balanced for gameplay rather than simulation.

– Vehicles, logistics systems, and support focused gameplay.

– Online multiplayer with proximity voice chat.

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2026-02-06 23:39