Wardogs CEO explains how the upcoming hardcore FPS will respect your time
Wardogs, an upcoming hardcore FPS from Bulkhead, is designed to balance accessibility with depth, according to CEO Joe Brammer. The game features 100-player battles competing for zone control on large maps, with a complex metagame involving cash systems, skill progression, seasonal resets, and progression mechanics. While Wardogs shares similarities with Escape From Tarkov, Brammer’s design philosophy diverges in a crucial way: he was never a heavy Tarkov player because he disliked the game’s regular gear wipes that reset all player progress. This experience shaped his approach to Wardogs, where respecting players’ time investments is a central design principle. Brammer is acutely aware that for the game to succeed commercially, it must appeal beyond hardcore enthusiasts to casual players with limited availability. The challenge lies in rewarding dedicated players who invest significant time while remaining approachable for those who can’t commit extensively. The design philosophy represents a deliberate attempt to address a common criticism of hardcore games—that they can alienate players without the availability for regular, extended sessions. This balance between hardcore depth and casual accessibility appears to be a key differentiator for Wardogs in the competitive FPS landscape.