43 GB installed (Steam writes 45.4 GB during decryption; the store says 50). Pre-purchasers can preload ahead of the 10 September, 16:00 UTC unlock; do it the night before, because launch-week Steam is slow. Install on an NVMe or SATA SSD, not a hard drive, and leave room for the shader cache.
Preload
Steam library → WARDOGS → Preload. Once it's done the button reads "Play" at unlock time with no further download. If you buy after unlock, the whole 50 GB comes then, in the launch queue with everyone else.
What a finished preload looks like
Steam shows WARDOGS as downloaded but not playable (grey button, "Pre-load complete"). On disk the 42 GB sits as encrypted depot chunks in steamapps\depotcache, and the real install folder steamapps\common\Wardogs stays empty until the 16:00 UTC unlock. Steam's own log calls it "Finished preloading (Not released)". That's normal. At unlock Steam shows what looks like a fresh 45 GB "download": it isn't re-downloading, it's decrypting and writing the preloaded chunks into the game folder (about a minute on an NVMe, several on a hard drive). Steam decrypts and writes about 45 GB into the game folder, which takes a few minutes on an SSD and longer on a hard drive; don't verify files or reinstall before then, there's nothing to verify yet.
Slow downloads
- Steam → Settings → Downloads → Download region: pick a city near you rather than "auto"; try a second nearby city if the first crawls.
- Pause every other download and cloud sync.
- Clear the download cache (same settings page) if speed is stuck at zero.
- Check the throttle isn't on ("Limit bandwidth" in the same page).
- Wired connection.
Where to install
| Drive | Verdict |
|---|---|
| NVMe SSD | Best. Map streaming and shader compile are fastest here. |
| SATA SSD | Fine. |
| Hard drive | Runs, but the shader compile takes far longer and maps hitch while streaming. |
Need 50 GB for the game plus 5–10 GB over time for the shader cache and patches.
Verify after install
Right-click → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files. Launch-week downloads sometimes finish with a corrupt pack that shows up as a crash or a hang on loading; verifying costs five minutes and prevents an hour of confusion.
Then, before 17:00 UK
Update the GPU driver, disable overlays, and skim the crash fixes and server browser page once. Unlock times for every zone are on the release time page.
FAQ
How big is WARDOGS?
About 50 GB to download. Keep 60 GB free for the shader cache and patches.
Can I preload WARDOGS on Steam?
Yes if you pre-purchased; Steam shows a Preload button ahead of the 16:00 UTC unlock on 10 September.
Why is my Steam download so slow?
Launch-week load. Change the download region to a nearby city in Steam settings and pause other downloads.
Sick of full servers and queues?
Rent your own WARDOGS server from an approved host and play with your mates on your rules. UK/EU: QONZER (bare metal, no slot fees). Anywhere else: BisectHosting (21 locations). Casual group: xREALM (pay by the hour). Full comparison.