Beta Guide
WARDOGS Beta Start & End Time in Your Time Zone + How to Play
The second WARDOGS closed beta is the last public test of BULKHEAD's 100-player tactical FPS before Early Access. Here's exactly when it starts and ends in your time zone, and how to make sure you're in.
The WARDOGS closed beta runs from Thursday, September 3 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, wrapping up four days before the game launches into Steam Early Access on September 10. It's open to everyone who pre-orders, and it's your best chance to learn the Control Zone before launch - if you're planning to jump in, our WARDOGS beginner's guide covers everything from your first $10,000 loadout to the tower code mechanic.
WARDOGS Beta Start Time by Time Zone
The beta goes live on Thursday, September 3 at 18:00 UTC (2 p.m. EDT). Here's what that means for your region:
| Region | Start Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (PDT) | 11:00 a.m. | Thursday, September 3 |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 2:00 p.m. | Thursday, September 3 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 3:00 p.m. | Thursday, September 3 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 7:00 p.m. | Thursday, September 3 |
| Western Europe (CEST) | 8:00 p.m. | Thursday, September 3 |
| Japan (JST) | 3:00 a.m. | Friday, September 4 |
| Australia East Coast (AEST) | 4:00 a.m. | Friday, September 4 |
WARDOGS Beta End Time by Time Zone
The beta wraps up on Sunday, September 6 at 08:00 UTC (4 a.m. EDT) - Sunday morning for Europe and Sunday evening for Asia-Pacific:
| Region | End Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (PDT) | 1:00 a.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 4:00 a.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 5:00 a.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 9:00 a.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| Western Europe (CEST) | 10:00 a.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| Japan (JST) | 5:00 p.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
| Australia East Coast (AEST) | 6:00 p.m. | Sunday, September 6 |
That's 62 hours of playtime - and with cash and progression systems fully active in the beta build, there's plenty of time to learn all six progression tracks before launch.
How to Get WARDOGS Beta Access
There are two routes into the beta - one guaranteed, one not:
1. Pre-Order on Steam (Guaranteed Access)
Pre-ordering WARDOGS on Steam for $39.99 guarantees your spot in the beta. That's a steep price for an Early Access title, but the Steam pre-purchase offer comes with an unusual promise: if you don't enjoy the beta, you're free to request a refund before launch.
2. Free Playtest Signup (Not Guaranteed)
You can also hit "Request Access" on the WARDOGS Steam page playtest widget for free. The catch: BULKHEAD CEO Joe Brammer has said pre-orders exceeded expectations, so the studio won't be adding many players from the free signup pool until later in the beta. If you only sign up for the playtest, expect to wait - possibly until Friday.
💡 Pro Tip
If you're on the fence, the pre-order-then-refund route is the de-facto free trial: guaranteed access on Thursday, and a refund window if the game isn't for you. Just make sure you actually request the refund before launch if you decide against keeping it.
What's in the Beta?
The closed beta is the full pre-Early Access build: the three factions (Lonestar, Manticore, Valkyra), the 100-player Control Zone mode with Hot Zone and tower mechanics, the persistent cash economy, all six progression tracks, vehicles from ATVs to helicopters, and FOB building.
A few things worth knowing before you deploy:
- PC only - the beta and the September 10 Early Access launch are Steam exclusives.
- Your first loadout matters. You start with $10,000 and cash persists between matches - spend it badly and you'll feel it for the whole beta. Our beginner's guide has a starter loadout that leaves money in the bank.
- Expect balance changes. Weapon prices and damage values in the beta are balance levers that BULKHEAD will keep adjusting through Early Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the WARDOGS beta start?
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 18:00 UTC - 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT / 7 p.m. BST / 8 p.m. CEST. For Japan and Australia it's early Friday, September 4 (3 a.m. JST / 4 a.m. AEST).
When does the WARDOGS beta end?
Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 08:00 UTC - 4 a.m. EDT / 1 a.m. PDT, which is Sunday morning in the UK (9 a.m. BST) and Europe (10 a.m. CEST), and Sunday evening in Japan (5 p.m. JST) and Australia (6 p.m. AEST).
Is the WARDOGS beta free?
Sort of. Pre-ordering ($39.99) guarantees access, while the free playtest signup on Steam may get you in later in the beta. The pre-purchase offer allows refund requests if you don't enjoy the beta.
Does beta progress carry over to launch?
BULKHEAD hasn't confirmed a progression wipe policy for the Early Access launch. Treat the beta as practice: the game knowledge - loadouts, towers, money-making routes - is what carries over for sure.
When does WARDOGS fully release?
WARDOGS enters Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026, with BULKHEAD estimating one to two years of Early Access development after that.
See You in the Control Zone
A beta this close to launch is the real thing - the build you play September 3-6 is essentially what ships on September 10. Get your access sorted, then spend ten minutes with our WARDOGS Beginner's Guide so your first $10,000 goes further than everyone else's.