The grimdark future of Warhammer 40,000 arrives at Total War series

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 2 hours ago

SEGA and Creative Assembly have officially announced Total War: Warhammer 40,000, marking a major expansion of the Total War franchise into Games Workshop's dystopian science-fantasy universe. The reveal came during The Game Awards 2025, accompanied by a cinematic trailer that quickly captured the attention of strategy and sci-fi enthusiasts alike. The game will launch first on PC, with future releases planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and is already available for wishlisting on Steam.

A surprise announcement that will change the franchise

The game promises to combine the trademark turn-based grand strategy of Total War with large-scale, real-time battles, now set in the war-torn galaxy of the 41st Millennium. Players will command legendary factions such as Space Marines, Orks, Astra Militarum, and Aeldari, each bringing distinct tactics, army compositions, and campaign objectives. Customization, including heraldry and unit traits, will provide players with a deeper layer of strategic personalization.

The integration of Warhammer 40,000 into the Total War formula introduces significant strategic and gameplay implications. Unlike previous fantasy titles in the series, where artillery had a more stylized presence, 40K's universe emphasizes ranged combat, mechanized units, and devastating firepower. Iconic units such as Leman Russ tanks, heavy weapons teams, and massed infantry barrages suggest that battles will be defined by long-range engagements, layered defenses, and high-octane tactical decision-making.

This move also represents a major expansion of Total War’s thematic scope. By shifting from historical and fantasy settings to the futuristic, grimdark universe of 40K, Creative Assembly positions the game as a flagship title capable of appealing to both veteran strategy fans and newcomers drawn by the franchise's rich lore. For Games Workshop, the collaboration strengthens the brand's visibility in the video game space and introduces the 41st Millennium to a potentially broader audience.

Console availability further underscores the ambition behind this project. Traditionally PC-centric, the Total War series will now bring its complex grand strategy systems to living room audiences, offering new opportunities to engage console players with large-scale tactical battles and strategic empire management.

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 promises to redefine how futuristic warfare is represented in strategy games. By marrying the series’ deep strategic mechanics with the violent, artillery-heavy battles of the 41st Millennium, the game is set to attract a diverse player base and expand the reach of both Total War and Warhammer 40,000 in the coming years. The announcement of the game also reflects that the collaboration between Games Workshop and Creative Assembly continues to be solid and profitabe, as is also demonstrated by the recent reveal of Lords of the End Times, the future expansion for Total War: Warhammer III that will arrive next year to change the game forever. If you were dreaming of a Total War game set in the 40K universe, keep an eye on our comparator to pre-order Total War: Warhammer 40,000 at the best price.