Command an elite team of bold, stylish operators, wage a campaign in an alternative-future Africa, and decide the war’s outcome mission by mission.

Combat outcomes are fully deterministic and driven by positioning, cover, elevation, and line of fire. There are no percentage-based hit chances - high lethality ensures that every decision, movement, and shot has clear consequences.

While XCOM focuses heavily on probability management and long-term risk mitigation through hit chances and dice rolls, Warhounds removes combat RNG entirely. There are no random misses at close range and no hidden percentages - outcomes are always readable and earned through positioning and tactical planning. Compared to Jagged Alliance, which emphasizes open-ended sandbox pacing and character-driven sprawl, Warhounds delivers a more tightly directed, cinematic experience with higher lethality and faster decision cycles. Missions are structured for clarity and intensity, closer to an episodic action thriller than a freeform simulation.

For everyone who hasn’t had a chance to play yet, we’ve decided to extend the closed playtest until February 16, 10am PDT

How to get access:

• Via Twitch Drops: watch Warhounds streams on Twitch for at least 30 minutes
  👉 https://www.twitch.tv/directory/category/warhounds?filter=drops (Stream must have Drops Enabled.) Claim the Drop on Twitch and get your key in our Discord.
• Via Steam friend invites: every player who already has access can invite up to 3 friends to try the game.

🛠 Feedback & improvements

We’ve received a huge amount of feedback during the test. Some bugs have already been fixed, and several gameplay and mechanic suggestions are now in the backlog for the final build ⚙️

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Early access to the playtest build
• Permission to stream, record, and publish content
• Twitch Drops so your viewers can earn keys

In the playtest you’ll get to experience:

• 3 combat missions
• A global map of the East African region
• Base building and squad management
• 5 unique veteran mercenaries
• 4 player classes - Assault, Specialist, Gunner, Sniper
• 4 enemy classes from Daamat - Shooter, Assault, Sniper, Brute

A playable public demo is coming for Steam Next Fest.

Key Features:

• Be the commander: Calculate lines of fire, flank and break cover, and seize the high ground. Every turn is decided by your planning and honest physics - not by RNG.
• Hire fighters with personality: Combine classes - Assault, Specialist, Sniper, Machine Gunner, and Grenadier. Pick the right gear for the job, treat and extract, protect key operatives. Take calculated risks - high combat lethality makes every decision count.
• Between missions, run the base: Recruit, upgrade, purchase equipment, handle logistics, finances, medical, and downtime. Choose allied factions, build relationships, gather intel, and execute covert ops. Your choices have consequences - access to missions, gear, and allies changes because of what you do.
• Use tomorrow’s tools: Deploy drones, combat scanners, smoke, and optical camo. Upgrade and improve your kit to win under any conditions.
• Set the pace: Knock out a mission in 25–40 minutes or settle in for long sessions. Tune the challenge - go for a brutal tactical hell or a light, relaxing run.

Warhounds is in development for PC (Steam) and consoles, scheduled for 2026.