As we wrap up Total War’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, we saved something truly monumental for last: Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000.
This game is a revolutionary new chapter for Total War, and we’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Games Workshop to bring this iconic science-fantasy setting to life.
We introduced the project with a trailer at The Game Awards with a little help from Emmy-Nominated actor and Warhammer 40,000 superfan, David Harbour - who will portray a mysterious, yet to-be-revealed character – and it delivers everything we love about the 41st Millennium: humanity’s desperate fight for survival, a galaxy ripped apart by war, Orks losing their heads (literally), and so much more.
Oh, and yes – there’s even a first small glimpse of gameplay. Watch it here:
Please note: Gameplay is from a pre-alpha (early) version of the game.
OUR VISION:
For the first time in our history, Total War is heading into the far future. We’re bringing everything you love about the series - deep strategy, cinematic battles, and meaningful choices - into the brutal, battle-scarred galaxy of Warhammer 40,000.
This isn’t just a new setting for us; it’s a whole new way to experience Total War. You’ll command armies across a vast galactic sandbox, forging your own warpath among the stars, with the aim of bending the galaxy to your will in an age of relentless conflict.
Our ambition is clear: to create the ultimate strategy experience for the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Over time, this game will grow into a sprawling galactic battlefield, packed with iconic heroes, fearsome war machines, and richly detailed worlds from this beloved science-fantasy setting.
KEY FEATURES:
In case you haven’t checked out our store page information quite yet, here’s a glimpse at some of the primary features coming to the game. These offer a brief preview of what’s to come, with even more exciting details set to be unveiled throughout the marketing campaign.
Command Four Iconic Factions
Lead campaigns across the void with four radically distinct factions, each forged with their own unique array of lore-inspired gameplay features, devastating weaponry, apocalyptic war machines, and methods of warfare.
- Space Marines: Genetically enhanced weapons of war, these warriors are few in number but each is the equal of a host of lesser troops. Clad in sacred power armour and wielding deadly weaponry, they are an uncompromising force that strikes with devastating and unyielding precision.
- Orks: Brutish hordes of destruction, they are unrelenting, countless and live for war. Storming the battlefield in endless mobs, they brandish unpredictable weapons and clanking war machines.
- Aeldari: An ancient and waning alien race, who once ruled the stars, but now find themselves scattered, battling against extinction. Swift and elusive, they strike with psychic precision and elegant weaponry, exploiting weakness before vanishing into shadow.
- Astra Militarum: The massed ranks of humanity’s largest fighting force are a bulwark of flesh and steel. Their legions of soldiers' march beneath the roar of battle-tanks and the thunder of artillery, grinding enemies into ruin with disciplined fury and sheer determination.
Customise Your War Machine
Step into battle with renowned sub-factions and warlords from the Warhammer 40,000 universe - or forge your own custom army with an unparalleled set of customisation options that bring tabletop freedom to life.
- Personalise Your Army: Name your warband, choose your colours, and emblazon your regiments with an array of iconography that strikes fear into the hearts of your enemies.
- Modify Your Warriors: Tailor your faction’s combat philosophy for both campaign and battle, arming them with your own unique fusion of devastating tactical abilities, signature traits, and arcane wargear.
Wage War On A Galactic Scale
Wage war across a galactic sandbox where there is no peace, only war. Expand your empire turn by turn; capturing planets, upgrading fleets, and managing your war economy as you carve a path through the stars to dominance.
Fight to determine the fate of entire worlds. Conquer and develop strongholds, bombard enemies from orbit, and deploy your armies to the ground to engage in breathtaking real-time battles over planetary installations and regions.
And when the threat becomes too great, consider unleashing apocalyptic weaponry to erase entire planets from existence.
Engage In Devastating Combat
Command vast armies of battle-hardened warriors in brutal, tactical engagements across war-torn worlds featuring distinct biomes, battlefield types, and dynamic destruction.
Recruit from a deadly arsenal of faction-specific units, including powerful veterans, elite combat squads, towering walkers, and immense war machines. When the going gets tough, call in reinforcements to reignite your war effort.
Strategically deploy powerful abilities to dominate the flow of battle, from haphazard artillery bombardments to aerial strafing runs and laser-powered strikes. Every impact reshapes the terrain, creating new cover and fresh tactical opportunities.
A NOTE FROM THE GAME DIRECTOR:
“Hi everyone!
I can’t tell you how incredible it feels to finally share this with you: Total War is heading into the Warhammer 40,000 universe! For so many of us on the team, this isn’t just another project. It’s a dream come true. We spent years imagining what Total War could look like in the grim darkness of the far future, and now we’re in the process of making it a reality.
A lot of us are lifelong Warhammer 40,000 fans, so this is personal. We want to do justice to the scale, the drama and the sheer intensity of this universe while staying true to what makes Total War special. It’s the start of a brand-new chapter for the franchise, and we couldn’t be more excited to go on this galactic journey with you.
We’ll have more to share, and we can’t wait to hear what you think.”
– Attila Mohacsi, Game Director
THE ART OF WAR
Over the past 25 years of Total War, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with incredible creative minds who cover a variety of crafts - artists, composers, writers - they’re people who can bring worlds to life with a single brushstroke, a ripple of melody, or a line of text. This project is no different.
So, when it came to our announcement key art, we set out to create something that truly captured the spirit of Warhammer 40,000: bold, unmistakable, and steeped in the iconic grimdark aesthetic that defines the setting. To do this, we enlisted the help of none other than the legendary Paul Dainton to create this masterpiece (if we do say so, ourselves).
TUNE IN ON DECEMBER 16TH FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Before we head off for a well-deserved Christmas break, we want to leave you with one last insight on the project. On December 16th, we’ll release a small roundtable with members of the development team. This won’t be a big gameplay deep dive, but an opportunity to share some early insights on the project, and how they’re bringing the setting to life.
That update will be the last for this game until Spring. When we’re back, our plan is to kick off our campaign with a bang - starting with an in-depth look at both campaign and battle gameplay. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on - it’ll be worth the wait.
See you on the battlefield!
— The Total War Team
FAQ:
Q: What is the release date?
A: We’re not sharing a release date at this time, but will have lots more to talk about later in 2026
Q: What platforms will Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 be available on?
A: It will be available on PC, PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Q: Where are the Chaos Space Marines?
A: Whilst they’re not in the game at launch, they’ll absolutely be part of our plans at some point, along with all the other iconic factions from the setting.
Q: Will there be a pre-order DLC?
A: No. More details about pre-order bonuses will be revealed later in 2026.
Q: Will there be a blood pack?
A: No. The 41st Millennium is a setting of eternal war, so blood and dismemberment is key to creating an authentic experience.
Q: Will the game allow modding?
A: Yes, our intent is to support modding on the Steam Workshop from launch. However, because of the new Warcore engine, the official modding tools will come at a later point. We'll share more on how we plan to support close to launch.
Q: What are the PC specifications for this game?
A: We don't yet have any PC specifications for the title. These will be revealed closer to launch.
Q: How can I keep up to date with news about the game?
A: The best way to keep up to date with the game is to follow our official channels: Discord | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | X | YouTube | Bilibili
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