- Primary Subject: WARDOGS
- Key Update: Developers rejected battle passes and celebrity crossover skins, positioning WARDOGS against Call of Duty–style cosmetic monetization.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 10, 2026
- Quick Answer: WARDOGS is a realism-focused tactical shooter that avoids battle passes and celebrity skins, favoring in-match economy and large-scale combat over cosmetic-driven progression.
Bulkhead’s reveal of WARDOGS immediately positioned the project as a high-ambition tactical shooter built with a very specific identity in mind.
Following a lengthy development cycle, the debut trailer revealed expansive warfare, vehicles, and destruction, catching the attention of players looking for a grounded alternative to the genre’s increasingly cosmetic-focused trends.
WARDOGS’ identity crystallized during the monetization discussion, where the developers used a blunt stance to reject the prevailing direction of mainstream shooters.
Why Did the Developers Call Out Call of Duty’s Skin Culture?
In a social media post outlining core systems, Bulkhead made it clear that WARDOGS will not rely on battle passes or novelty crossover cosmetics, explicitly stating that there will be no celebrity skins.
The team summed up its stance in plain language, stating there would be “No Nikki Minaj skins. No bullshit.”
While brief, the message was widely interpreted as a pointed criticism of Call of Duty, which has spent the last several years embracing high-profile collaborations and pop-culture tie-ins.
It wasn’t a swipe at any single artist or cosmetic, but a rejection of the growing reliance on exaggerated skins that many fans argue undermine Call of Duty’s military authenticity and steer it toward Fortnite-style presentation.
How Does WARDOGS’ Design Philosophy Support That Stance?
That philosophy is reflected in WARDOGS’ design, with matches supporting up to 100 players and focusing on a dynamic in-game economy instead of fixed loadouts or cosmetic progression.
Players begin every match with a fixed amount of money and earn additional funds through combat and objectives, which can then be spent on weapons, vehicles, upgrades, and tactical equipment.
This system lets matches unfold naturally, giving players real agency while still enabling coordinated team strategies.
Instead of tying progress to cosmetic rewards, WARDOGS prioritizes smart in-match decisions and player adaptability.
When Will Players Be Able to Try WARDOGS?
Although the game does not yet have a confirmed release date or public testing window, interest has continued to build following its debut.
Bulkhead has invited players to sign up for updates as development continues, suggesting that more information will be shared incrementally.
While WARDOGS’ long-term success remains to be seen, its firm stance against crossover-heavy monetization has already helped it stand out in a crowded shooter market.
At a time when many military shooters are leaning into brand collaborations and spectacle, WARDOGS is betting that consistency, realism, and restraint are still qualities worth building a game around.
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