The Wardogs closed beta is a single weekend of the 100-player tactical shooter from Bulkhead and publisher Team17, running before the game hits Steam early access. There are two ways in, and only one of them locks your spot in advance.
Quick answer: Pre-order Wardogs on Steam to get guaranteed entry to the closed beta running August 21–23, 2026. Requesting access on the Steam page is a free alternative, but it does not guarantee a spot.
Wardogs closed beta dates
The closed beta weekend runs from August 21 to August 23, 2026, on PC through Steam. It is a short, time-limited test tied to the game’s move into early access, so access opens for that window only.
Two ways to get access
The difference between the two routes is certainty. A pre-order guarantees you are in for the weekend. Requesting access only enters you into a pool, and the developer sends invites in waves as it scales up participant numbers.
| Route | Cost | Beta access |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-order on Steam | $39.99 | Guaranteed for August 21–23 |
| Request access on Steam page | Free | Not guaranteed; invite only when selected |
If you specifically want to play during the August 21–23 window, the pre-order is the only path that assures it. The request-access pool can still get you in, but there is no promise of a slot before or during that weekend.
How to secure your beta spot
You can also register interest through the official community sign-up at community.wardogs.com and link your Steam or Discord account. Doing both the Steam request and the community sign-up increases your chances of being picked, but neither replaces the guarantee that comes with a pre-order.
Note: You may receive a hardware survey after signing up. It helps the team test performance across different PC configurations ahead of launch.
Refund policy after the beta
Bulkhead has said that if the beta does not impress you, you can request a refund after playing it. That removes the usual risk of pre-ordering just to test a pre-release build, since you can try the weekend and back out if it is not for you.
Wardogs PC system requirements
Before you commit, check that your PC meets the specs for the closed beta. Both tiers target upscaled resolutions.
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
| CPU | i5-8600 / Ryzen 5 3500 | i7-12700K / Ryzen 7 5700X |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | GTX 1660 / RX 590 | RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
| Target | 1080p Low, 60 FPS (upscaled) | 1440p Medium 70+ FPS or 4K Medium 60+ FPS (upscaled) |
Early access date, price, and what carries over
Wardogs launches into early access on September 10, 2026. A pre-order for the closed beta is the same purchase that gets you into early access, and it locks in the lower price. The $39.99 early access cost is planned to rise to $60 at full release.
The early access build is described as fully playable and reflecting the core vision of the game. There is no in-game monetization during early access, and only the Supporter Pack cosmetics are available at launch, with paid cosmetics arriving after the full release. The plan is to stay in early access for roughly one to two years while content, systems, and balance expand.
What you can expect at early access launch:
- A 100-player, three-team Control Zone experience across large maps
- Dynamic objective zones, with three maps that each have three variations
- Cash and XP-based progression where actions earn rewards
- Realistic gunplay tuned for gameplay rather than pure simulation
- Vehicles, logistics systems, and support-focused roles
- Online multiplayer with proximity voice chat
Whichever route you choose, the decision comes down to certainty. Pre-order if you want a confirmed seat for August 21–23 and the safety net of a refund, or request access for free and hope your invite lands in one of the rolling waves.
