Wardogs Developer Defends Game Price Increase

Bulkhead CEO and "Wardogs" executive producer Joe Brammer has defended the company's decision to implement a tiered pricing strategy for its upcoming game. "Wardogs" launched on Steam's Early Access at approximately $40, with plans for staged price increases to reach $60 by its full release.

Brammer detailed the planned price adjustments: the cost will rise to $49.99 when the game reaches version v0.5, expected in about 12 months. The full release (v1.0), anticipated in roughly 24 months, will see the price set at $59.99. He described this as "tiered pricing," intended to align with the game's expanding scope and content, allowing players to purchase it at a lower cost now or wait for further development.

The developer highlighted that Bulkhead operates between the indie and AA spaces, and producing a high-fidelity FPS like "Wardogs" involves substantial costs. Brammer stated that while controlling payroll, the creation of such a game with advanced graphics and physics requires significant time and capital. He noted that players are welcome to choose other, less expensive FPS titles if the pricing of "Wardogs" is not suitable for them.

Brammer also commented on the potential impact of "Grand Theft Auto VI's" pricing, suggesting that a potentially low price point could harm the industry in the long run. He asserted that "Wardogs" pricing sets a precedent for player expectations regarding quality commensurate with cost.