Wardogs Locks in September 2026 Steam Early Access Release Date

Developer Bulkhead and publisher Team17 have announced that the 100-player tactical shooter Wardogs will launch in Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026. Yes, we are talking about massive triple-digit chaos, and my palms are already sweating just thinking about surviving a lobby that big.

According to developer Bulkhead, players who want an early look at the massive shooter can secure their spot ahead of the official September debut. Testing a massive multiplayer game requires serious stress-testing, which is where the upcoming beta phases come in. To get players through the door, the studio is tying beta access directly to Steam pre-orders—but they are adding a surprisingly consumer-friendly twist to the usual pre-launch song and dance.

The details

• Early Access release date: September 10, 2026
• Closed Beta dates: August 21 to August 23, 2026
• Platform: PC (Steam)
• Player count: 100-player matches

How does the beta work?

By pre-ordering the game on Steam, players gain guaranteed entry to the Closed Beta starting August 21 and running through August 23, 2026. But here is the fascinating part: Bulkhead has explicitly promised full refunds for any pre-order players who walk away unsatisfied with their Closed Beta experience. It is a bold move that essentially lets you treat the beta as a weekend-long test drive, completely removing the usual pre-order anxiety.

Why it matters

Steam's standard refund policy typically limits automatic refunds to games played for less than two hours within a 14-day purchase window. Bulkhead's tailored refund promise for the Closed Beta provides a specific safety net, allowing players to evaluate the stability and performance of the 100-player infrastructure before the game officially enters its wider September Early Access launch phase.