Bulkhead restricts cross-region play in Wardogs

Bulkhead is introducing a 175-millisecond server-ping limit in its multiplayer first-person shooter Wardogs, and some players say it has already prevented them from joining friends overseas, IGN reported on October 22.

Ping measures the delay in communication between a player’s device and a game server. Players whose ping exceeds 175 milliseconds cannot join that server, so friends in different regions may no longer be able to play together.

One player quoted by IGN said there had been no ping limit when they bought Wardogs to play with friends. Some players are now asking for refunds after losing access to games with international friends.

Bulkhead’s rationale and players’ objections

Bulkhead says the restriction will reduce cheating by limiting access from regions it describes as more prone to cheating. The studio said social play was central to Wardogs, but that it had decided to prioritise the larger group of players over the minority affected by the restrictions.

An Asian player quoted by IGN urged Bulkhead to strengthen its anti-cheat measures instead. The player also said Asian players faced unverified cheating accusations and personal abuse in public chat.

Brammer says the team is working on a longer-term solution

Chief executive Joe Brammer acknowledged that the restriction was harming some players. He described the ping cap as a quick fix rather than a permanent solution and said the team was working on solutions for global players.

Brammer said the longer-term solution would take more time, explaining that establishing where players are actually based is not straightforward. He gave no date for replacing the current restriction.