Wardogs has suddenly reopened its servers, ending a dry spell for fans.
Actually, after thehuge success of the August beta, fans were prepared to go without Wardogs until the Early Access release on September 10.
But the developers at Bulkhead have pulled an ace out of their sleeve and surprisingly announced a second beta. Players are encouraged to “break the servers,” they say.
Wardogs Beta Date and Start Time
The servers for the second Wardogs beta will be open at the following times:
- Start:Thursday, September 3, starting at 8:00 p.m.
- End:Sunday, September 6, until 10:00 a.m.
The preloadhas already started; the latest beta version will receive a Steam update of approximately 42 GB.
There is no NDA for the beta. Images, videos, and livestreams are therefore allowed.
Is it an open beta?
No, this is another closed beta. According to the developer, Bulkhead, the reason for this is that they want to test the technical infrastructure in a controlled environment.
So keys are only available:
- For pre-order customers (access is guaranteed; refunds via Steam are possible afterward)
- For pre-registered players (access not guaranteed; keys will be distributed in waves)
Progress made during the beta will not be saved and will be reset at launch.
How are fans reacting?
Both on YouTube and on social media, many fans are celebrating the surprise new option to play Wardogs before Early Access begins on September 10. Apparently, some people even seemed to have been going through real withdrawal symptoms.
Here are a few comments from the community:
- “I’d even call in sick to companies I don’t even work for.” — @ATC_Forgiven
- “I feel like I’m finally allowed to smoke again.” — @MatyasSmetana
- “Please inject it straight into my veins.” — @WesleyVo1c
And the excitement is clearly palpable on X (formerly Twitter) as well:
We planned to save this announcement for the @FPSGamesShow, but we don’t want the hype to get out of control, so…
WARDOGS Closed Beta. Starting September 3rd.
This is a REAL test. Come break things.HUGE announcement still to come at the @FPSGamesShow. See you there pic.twitter.com/fTM4ee75U0
— WARDOGS (@WARDOGS) September 1, 2026
Where does the hype surrounding Wardogs come from?
Wardogs has already made a big splash in the tactical shooter community with its first alpha and beta tests and currently ranks 17th on the global wishlist charts and 7th on Steam’s bestseller list.
The tactically challenging blend of Arma: King of the Hill, Squad, and Battlefield seems to be striking a chord. This is primarily because the game emphasizes a methodical approach and teamwork, while at the same time avoiding the overwhelming complexity found in comparable hardcore shooters.
Also exciting is the currency system, which allows for a variety of playstyles—from builders and logisticians to snipers and medics, there are countless lucrative roles on the battlefield, even without a fixed class system. Learn more in the video in the middle of our link box above.
