Wardogs, the large-scale tactical shooter from BULKHEAD, wrapped its first Closed Beta and is now heading toward Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026. That gap between the finished test and the paid release has left many players asking whether the studio will run one more closed test before launch.
Quick answer: BULKHEAD has not confirmed a second Closed Beta. The only officially confirmed pre-launch activity is an internal backend stress test on September 2, 2026. A separate Open Beta running September 4–7 is an unverified leak, not an announcement.
Confirmed pre-launch dates for Wardogs
Two dates are locked in. The first Closed Beta ran August 21–23, and BULKHEAD has confirmed an internal backend stress test scheduled for September 2, 2026. Early Access then begins on September 10, 2026.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Closed Beta | Aug 21–23, 2026 | Concluded |
| Internal backend stress test | Sep 2, 2026 | Confirmed |
| Rumored Open Beta | Sep 4–7, 2026 | Leak only |
| Early Access launch | Sep 10, 2026 | Confirmed |
The September 2 stress test is aimed at the backend rather than being a full public test. During it, players may be able to help check login queues and server stability simply by joining the game if servers open. Even so, it would most likely not be labeled a Closed Beta.
The September 4–7 Open Beta rumor
A data miner posted a claim on X suggesting BULKHEAD could open the game to everyone with a surprise Open Beta running from September 4 to September 7, 2026. The post did not include specific times or other concrete details.
Treat this as speculation. There is no official statement backing the dates, and BULKHEAD has not announced any Open Beta. The only reason it draws attention is timing, since the window would sit just days before the Early Access release.
Note: Leaked dates from unofficial accounts are not schedules. Until BULKHEAD posts confirmation, do not plan around September 4–7.
Why another test is plausible
BULKHEAD has been open about using tests to measure server load ahead of launch. During the first beta, the studio said it would be cautious about pulling players from the free sign-up pool.
“Due to the volume of guaranteed Beta access via pre-orders, we aren’t going to be that aggressive with adding players from the sign-up pool until later in the weekend. This is to help us analyse our server scaling and stability before heading into Early Access.”
That focus on scaling makes a second test technically logical. If the team wants to see how the game holds up under a much heavier load, opening servers to a larger group before September 10 would serve that goal. The confirmed September 2 backend test already points in that direction. Still, logical does not mean scheduled, and no second public test has been announced.
How to get into any Wardogs test
If BULKHEAD does open another test, the access routes will likely mirror the first Closed Beta. There were two reliable ways in, and pre-ordering was the only guaranteed one.
Previous alpha or beta testers should check their Steam Library for current access rather than assuming an earlier invite carries over.
How to know if a real test goes live
Confirmation will come from BULKHEAD, not from leak accounts. Watch the official Wardogs channels on X and the Steam store page for a dated announcement. If a Playtest becomes launchable in your Steam Library and the studio posts a start time, the test is genuine.
For now, the only sure things are the September 2 backend stress test and the September 10 Early Access date. Anything about a second Closed Beta or an Open Beta between those two points remains unconfirmed, so the safest move is to secure access through Steam and wait for an official schedule.
