WARDOGS Season 3 Starts November 12 With 185,000 Accounts Banned

WARDOGS, the 100-player shooter that has sold more than 3 million copies, is heading into its third season on November 12, 2026. Developer BULKHEAD admits Season 2 went wrong and is promising a steadier course.

The studio laid out the plan in a developer video called "Road to Season 03" on November 6. Along with a new map, it covered progression changes and its fight against cheating. Full patch notes are due shortly before the season begins.

What Is WARDOGS?

WARDOGS is a tactical FPS from studio BULKHEAD and publisher Team17. One hundred players split across three teams fight for control zones on a destructible battlefield. The game entered Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026.

The launch was huge. BULKHEAD cited more than 3 million sales in a developer update on October 9, and Steam Charts records an all-time peak of 402,686 concurrent players.

Numbers have since fallen, as they usually do for new multiplayer games. The monthly average dropped from 223,917 players in September to 137,734 in October. BULKHEAD says it expected player numbers to decline after launch.

Player data from Steam Charts, checked on November 9, 2026.

What Went Wrong in Season 2

Season 2 launched on October 15 with new weapons, vehicles, and rain weather. Its patch notes were well received on paper, but the mood turned quickly once the season went live, and several outlets described the changes as a disappointment for players.

According to the community site WARDOGSXP, which summarized the video, BULKHEAD said, "We were too aggressive with the changes, and that's on us." In its Steam announcement, the studio put its new direction bluntly: No social experiments. No reactivity.

The main message is that Season 3 will put stability and consistency first, rather than answering every new complaint with a large change.

What Season 3 Adds

Sabatulo focuses on urban warfare and close-quarters combat. Footage summarized by WARDOGSXP shows Soviet-style apartment blocks, narrow alleys, a sports hall, courtyards, and a hospital.

The change players may feel most is multi-track unlocks. GamingBolt gives the example of .308 armor-piercing ammunition, which will no longer require level 140 and will instead unlock at Pilot level 40. The idea is to reduce grinding in roles players do not enjoy.

Limited Mode is for players who want a more level field. GamesBeat reports planned restrictions including FMJ-only ammunition, a Tier 2 armor cap, and fewer attack vehicles, though the final list is still being decided. Cash and XP earned in Limited Mode carry over to the default mode, and vice versa.

Final details will follow the official Season 3 patch notes.

The 185,000-Account Ban Wave

BULKHEAD also addressed cheating, exploits, and real money trading. The studio announced a ban wave covering 185,000 accounts and additional anti-cheat layers. Several reports say the review covered 187 million hours of play.

The warnings began in September. In update 0.1.2, BULKHEAD said anyone caught abusing cash and XP exploits or real money trading would have progress reset and could be permanently banned.

Players tempted by third-party boosting or account sales should stay away. Beyond breaking the developer's rules, those services put progress and the account itself at risk.

Price and PC Requirements

The US Steam store listed WARDOGS at $39.99 when we checked on November 9, 2026. Because it is in Early Access, content and balance will keep changing.

Source: WARDOGS Steam store page.

WARDOGS requires a broadband connection and is played entirely online, so connection quality in your region is worth checking before buying.

What Comes After Season 3

BULKHEAD says Season 3 will not fix everything about progression. It plans an entirely new progression system in 2027 as part of the road to version 1.0.

That makes this season an important test. A fresh map that everyone has to learn at the same time could bring lapsed players back, and the effect of the ban wave should become clear on live servers over the coming weeks.

Conclusion

Season 3 is a chance for WARDOGS to rebuild trust after a poorly received second season. The new map and reworked progression are promising, but the real result will only be visible once the season is under way.