Wardogs blocks Steam Family Sharing; CEO calls $40 ‘best anti-cheat’

Bulkhead removed Steam Family Sharing access for Wardogs on Friday, Sept. 18, after discovering accounts used the feature to evade bans and enter matches to cheat. The change applies to the game’s release on the Steam platform during its first week.

Steam Family Sharing normally allows multiple close family members to use a single owned copy of a game, though not at the same time. Players often use it to let friends or relatives try a title before buying their own copy.

Bulkhead posted that ‘A number of accounts were exploiting Steam Family Sharing to bypass bans, explicitly to cheat and impact legitimate matches. We’ve disabled the feature to help protect legitimate players. Thank you for your reports. They help us uphold the integrity of the game.’ The studio said community reports helped identify the problem.

Studio CEO and executive producer Joe Brammer has been active on social media about the launch and feedback. He wrote that the $40 price tag is ‘the best anti-cheat’ and warned that ‘the sentiment around Wardogs is preparing to go more negative as people begin to criticize its shortcomings or quirks that people find.’ He asked players for candid feedback on the studio’s communication.

Bulkhead has not announced whether Family Sharing will be restored or if it will limit shared access for accounts linked to banned users. Some multiplayer developers restrict sharing for accounts associated with banned players to prevent repeat evasion.

Bulkhead also outlined plans for seasonal updates. Brammer teased Season 2, due about a month after launch, and said seasons will refresh progression and the metagame by adding new content such as weapons and vehicles and sometimes removing content to encourage variety.

The change affects players who expected to let family or friends sample Wardogs without buying separate copies. Bulkhead framed the decision as a measure to protect legitimate matches while the team monitors early performance and community feedback.