Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has a launch date, recent from the Warhammer Skulls 2026 showcase. And whereas we all know the bottom recreation will likely be launched this September, we additionally know what the roadmap of post-launch content material and DLC for the next 9 months appears like. The headline right here is the addition of a fifth playable faction by way of a marketing campaign growth, however there’s way more to look ahead to.
To coincide with the discharge date announcement, I sat down for an interview with King Artwork Video games artistic director Jan Theysen and senior recreation designer Elliott Verbiest to dig into the roadmap, attempt my greatest to get juicy lore particulars, and ask about that fifth playable faction. And take a look at our roundup of all the pieces introduced at Warhammer Skulls 2026 to seek out out extra on what’s coming down the road.
IGN: How is Dawn of War IV’s Campaign Mode completely different from the way it labored in earlier Dawn of War video games?
Jan Theysen: We won’t go into all the main points, however what we are able to positively tease is that there is a little bit extra to it than, for instance, in Darkish Campaign. What we make sure that is that there’s additionally actually related gameplay on the World Map half. The Final Campaign mode was principally kind of like, okay, the place do you need to play subsequent? It was like, not lots of gameplay there. And we felt like, okay, this could possibly be extra like a board recreation, the place it has its personal gameplay there. And so we invested a while and ideas into that and made positive that even that half alone is enjoyable.
Elliott Verbiest: We needed to develop a bit extra on the meta gameplay that occurs. So inside the Darkish Campaign recreation mode, it is principally such as you’re shifting items across the board, and then you definitely’ve received the Skirmish gameplay in between that retains it collectively. And so we’re additionally wanting so as to add further gameplay components so as to add further depth to the World Map.
Jan Theysen: We’re German, so we do board video games, proper? Our goal was, we principally stated even with out the real-time technique half, there needs to be enjoyable. Even in the event you’re not taking part in the RTS missions, it ought to nonetheless be enjoyable. And that was the objective.
IGN: The story prologue returns to Aurelia, which I feel is seared into my reminiscence as it is going to be for a lot of Dawn of War followers. Why did you determine that was the precise place to return to for the prologue?
Jan Theysen: Once we introduced that Dawn of War IV, you are not solely taking part in the Blood Ravens, but in addition the Darkish Angels, folks had been excited concerning the Darkish Angels, but in addition, ‘Oh, why cannot I play extra of the Blood Ravens?’ And principally we stated, ‘Okay, for everyone who’s actually all about Blood Ravens, we provide them simply extra Blood Ravens.’ And likewise reply possibly some of the questions folks may have once they play the principle recreation, which is principally, okay, what’s with the remaining of the chapter? The place is all people? This sort of factor. And so we principally stated, ‘Okay, let’s make this the prologue to the principle recreation that’s all concerning the Blood Ravens.’ And that’s the place to begin, after which Aurelia got here out of that.
IGN: The pure observe up query is, the prologue is “guided by a legendary commander.” You already know who everybody’s going to surprise about. Are you able to speak a bit about what which means precisely, and who we are able to count on, as a result of followers will certainly speculate about that one.
Jan Theysen: Nicely, there’s a legendary commander! That’s, I feel, all we are able to say at this level.
Elliott Verbiest: I feel we’re glad for gamers to invest a bit of longer!
IGN: The Aftermath marketing campaign growth sounds thrilling. The principle factor right here is including a fifth faction to the sport throughout all recreation modes. I am not anticipating you to inform me what that faction is, however do you think about particular person House Marine chapters as their very own faction, or are House Marines general a faction?
Jan Theysen: For us internally, a faction is House Marines, after which there are sub-factions; in phrases of the House Marines it’s chapters, in phrases of the Orks it is Ork Clans. However once we say there will likely be a brand new faction, then we’re speaking a few large new factor. Clearly we won’t let you know what it’s, however in the event you take a look at the historical past of Dawn of War and ask your self, what may you count on from a Dawn of War recreation that possibly is not in Dawn of War IV, possibly you are going in the precise path.
IGN: This roadmap takes us as much as spring 2027. Can we count on extra DLC after as a yr two roadmap?
Jan Theysen: This principally covers the primary 9 months after launch. After that, hopefully, if the sport works properly and all people is happy, hopefully we are able to do extra. However that is the plan we’ve got to date.
IGN: So that you’re not saying that is the one new faction that may ever be launched for the sport? Assuming it is profitable and everybody’s glad and it is going properly, you propose to develop it additional?
Jan Theysen: I imply, if there’s something that Warhammer 40K has, it is lots of factions, proper? So we might be very glad to have extra of the sport.
Elliott Verbiest: Yeah. We have no scarcity of choices right here, I feel.
IGN: I actually loved the final Adeptus Mechanicus gameplay video. I assumed that was superior and suggests you actually nailed the texture of that faction as folks think about it from the tabletop. Did it embrace our first ever take a look at an Imperial Knight Drop Pod? As a result of I do not suppose I’ve ever seen a mannequin for that and even paintings.
Jan Theysen: Truly, I assumed you’d be even nerdier and ask concerning the Ironstrider tiptoeing on the spot! As a result of that was what I used to be most glad about that individuals picked up on it.
With the Knight’s drop pod, we had the query, okay, how can we ship the Knight to the battlefield? And we acquired phrase there is perhaps one thing like a Knight drop pod that sooner or later somebody designed. And we stated, ‘Okay, we wish this, give it to us.’ And we’re fortunate sufficient to have it within the recreation. And as you stated, it is like the primary time anyone sees it. It is this big constructing. So you do not construct the unit, however what you do is you construct this gigantic constructing after which the constructing comes down, clears all the pieces within the surrounding space with rockets, lands, after which the Knight comes out, however the constructing additionally stays. So now you might have this big tower there that may enable you. We took it and ran with it.
IGN: So I’m understanding appropriately, you had a reference level for the Imperial Knight Drop Pod?
Jan Theysen: Principally we talked to Video games Workshop, how can we ship this factor? And so they got here again and stated, ‘Nicely… there’s this concept…” And we took it and ran with it.
IGN: You have to be delighted that followers are selecting up on all these little particulars in gameplay trailers. It have to be rewarding so that you can see Warhammer 40,000 followers with these optimistic feedback.
Jan Theysen: I imply, completely, proper? You set a lot time and vitality into this and generally you surprise, will anyone ever see this, or does anyone care about this? And when folks do, it is nice as a result of then you definitely really feel like, ‘Okay, it was price it.’
That’s possibly one thing that not all of the gamers are conscious of. Should you create an asset for a recreation like this, you spend days and weeks with this asset, proper? So on the finish, an artist is aware of each nook and cranny of the entire thing. And so in the event you put one thing in there and other people acknowledge it and say, ‘Hey, that is cool,” then folks run via the workplace very glad.
Elliott Verbiest: And that is precisely what we’re making an attempt to do right here with Dawn of War IV, is create that genuine Warhammer 40K expertise, proper? As a result of there are such a lot of gamers who’re searching for that sort of element, and I feel seeing such a optimistic response to the Ironstriders was a very good signal for us that we’re on the precise path with that, and that, okay, that is what persons are searching for and that is what they’re delighted with, and that is what we’re delighted with.
IGN: Is there extra stress to get the tiny particulars proper with a Warhammer 40,000 online game than some other recreation universe?
Jan Theysen: It is perhaps, however I imply, we by no means labored on one other IP that large, so we won’t actually evaluate it to anything. I might think about in the event you do a Harry Potter recreation then in all probability Harry Potter followers are additionally very explicit concerning the particulars.
However for me it is like simply an expression of how a lot folks care about it, as a result of they love the world, they suppose it is the good factor ever. And likewise if somebody has a bit of bit of details about one thing after which that is essential for them and this little factor must be in there. Our job is to attempt to get as many of this stuff within the recreation. However in the long run, clearly we’ll miss some issues and other people may have a area day, however that is completely advantageous as a result of once more, I feel it comes from a spot of caring about it.
Elliott Verbiest: Quite a bit of the feedback that we noticed most lately on the AdMech trailer was the truth that the voiceover narrator is Jonathan Keeble, who is sort of a very well-known audiobook voice actor for lots of the Warhammer books. So it is not simply inside the recreation itself, inside the gameplay and the way we show factions and so forth, however all the best way all the way down to issues like the sort of voice actors that we usher in for this undertaking. I feel there’s lots of completely different references and different particulars that lots of followers of Warhammer 40K can actually recognize and can look ahead to.
IGN: It’s nice you might have Jonathan Keeble for the trailers, however does he do something within the recreation itself?
Jan Theysen: He does not play one of the characters or one thing like that, however we’re for the time being speaking about one thing that he may narrate within the recreation. So it is not but confirmed, however hopefully we are able to get him as a result of we’re followers of him as properly, proper?
Elliott Verbiest: And we even have a number of different voice actors on board who’re fairly well-known inside the property, additionally for audiobooks and the like. So we’ll positively hear a pair extra recognizable voices and a pair recognizable names for this recreation for sure.
IGN: Since we final spoke, Video games Workshop has introduced a brand new version of 40K. Are you aware of the developments that occur for the tabletop, or does that don’t have any affect on what you are doing? Do you get any type of like heads up and then you definitely design issues with that re-creation in thoughts? How does it really work?
Jan Theysen: Normally, the RTS will not be like a digital model of the tabletop, as a result of it simply does not work. It is a completely different factor. What we take from the tabletop or from the IP basically is of course the general really feel of a unit and what’s the unit for and all of that stuff. However that additionally does not actually change between editions, proper? What they do with eleventh Version does not actually change what we might do with Dawn of War.
We generally get a bit of bit of a heads up when there are some modifications with models or one thing like that that’s related for us, however basically, the tabletop guidelines do not likely have an effect on the RTS guidelines.
Elliott Verbiest: We take note of this sort of stuff as a result of we’re and we need to know this sort of factor. We need to play it! After all, we’re enthusiastic about this. However these two issues are primarily separate. There are issues that we’ll get a heads up on in the event that they’re related for us, however in any other case they’re essentially separate in what they’re by nature of the truth that one’s a online game, the opposite’s a tabletop.
Jan Theysen: Terminators are Terminators in eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh Version.
IGN: Additionally since we final spoke, we’ve got the announcement of Complete War: Warhammer 40,000. The video games aren’t the identical, clearly, however at face worth there are clearly some similarities. Do you see there being sufficient room for each Dawn of War IV and Complete War: Warhammer 40,000, and that you could carve out your personal fanbase that may be capable of help all of the DLC ambitions that you’ve got though this recreation can be popping out?
Jan Theysen: Yeah, completely. We’re glad the extra good Warhammer 40K video games are on the market, as a result of the extra good video games there are the extra folks care about it, the extra persons are keen on Warhammer basically. And that additionally helps Dawn of War. We do not see them as like direct competitors. It is also not like gamers play the one recreation, however not the opposite. I feel many gamers will in all probability play each of them. And so for us it is extra like, okay, cool if it is like an amazing recreation and brings extra eyes to the franchise, all the higher. And of course additionally we all know and like the blokes from Artistic Meeting. And we need to play the sport! So we’re simply glad that they do one thing cool with it. And in the long run, I feel most gamers will in all probability get pleasure from each of them.
Elliott Verbiest: Yeah, positively a case of rising tide lifts all boats. We’re wanting ahead to taking part in it as properly!
IGN: Simply from a pure gameplay perspective, in the event you’re only a technique recreation fan, what makes Dawn of War IV stand out from the Warhammer 40,000 crowd?
Jan Theysen: It is the basic RTS gameplay, proper? So you might have these completely different ranges, proper? You could have economic system, you might have technique and tactical components. In order for you, it’s also possible to micro a bit of bit. However it’s like lots of issues happening on the similar time. And it has this very particular or like this distinctive measurement to it, proper? As a result of it is not like a House Marine 2 the place you are one, two or three guys or one thing like that, but it surely’s additionally not a whole lot and hundreds of models in these tremendous large battles. It is like within the center.
To me that feels very, superb as a result of it offers you the texture of, okay, there’s lots of stuff happening and it is large battles, however on the similar time, you may nonetheless handle actually what’s going on and it is not such as you’re dropping the overview immediately. So to me, I feel that makes it fascinating.
And likewise what we attempt to do is we attempt to actually deal with story and campaigns. And so I feel it is perhaps a superb entry level for gamers who’re possibly not tremendous conversant in Warhammer 40K, as a result of we attempt to inform tales that even with out an excessive amount of 40K deep data nonetheless make sense and might nonetheless be loved by gamers who will not be that deep into it.
Elliott Verbiest: With the marketing campaign, we have put lots of effort and time into making certain that every particular person faction feels very distinctive and matches additionally what the expertise could be like for every particular person faction. We variety of nudge gamers gameplay clever to play in particular varieties of playstyles for every particular person faction. There’s of course nuance between them. So for instance, for the Orks, you may play them as a inexperienced tide the place it is simply you are turning out a ton of models. Or you may variety of angle them extra in the direction of Orks get stronger from preventing and also you emphasize extra on their capacity to realize battle traits and completely different upgrades for particular person models to get extra elite models for them. So we variety of assist with these explicit mechanics. We nudge gamers within the path of, this isn’t similar to how these factions would play organically for you, but in addition how they really feel within the tabletop.
Jan Theysen: And likewise if you play the Ork marketing campaign, you positively have a good suggestion what Orks are all about. So it is like a pleasant entry level I feel.
Elliott Verbiest: After all, that does not imply we’re not going to have any multiplayer options and we can’t have some help for that, however positively I feel that the campaigns are the highlight characteristic, I might say.
Jan Theysen: It is ridiculous how many individuals inform us that they got here to 40K as a result of of Dawn of War 1.
IGN: That’s me! I did.
Jan Theysen: Principally each second person who we speak to says, ‘Yeah, as a result of of Dawn of War I’m a 40K fan.’ It will be superior if we are able to do it once more, principally be like a pleasant entry level for gamers as a result of it is possibly a bit of bit much less intimidating than possibly some of the opposite video games on the market.
IGN: Final query! Within the cinematic for the AdMech, the Necrons maybe didn’t have their greatest day on the workplace. There have been loads of Stormtrooper comparisons for his or her horrible capturing accuracy…
Jan Theysen: They simply awoke from 1,000,000 years slumber! Whenever you get up and also you’re alleged to shoot somebody… We noticed that, of course, and we’re glad that the gameplay trailer of the AdMech turned all the pieces round for folks.
Elliott Verbiest: There’s additionally a narrative motive for it. The CGI trailers are all half of the overarching narrative that we’ve got for the sport. There’s a motive why they could be a bit of bit extra in disarray within the CGI than we see.
Jan Theysen: It is also within the first missions. They don’t seem to be at their greatest within the first missions and we clarify this within the recreation. However I get the purpose why folks felt like, okay, they need to have hit at the very least one thing.
Elliott Verbiest: One of the objectives that we had is that for every marketing campaign, the faction that’s the coolest is the one you are taking part in proper now. So if you go to the Necrons marketing campaign, for instance, that’ll come throughout a bit of bit otherwise, I feel.
IGN: Unfortunate rolls. All of us get them. It’s advantageous!
Jan Theysen: It is a bit of bit like within the books. Should you learn an Ork e-book, then the Orks are the strongest and the good. Should you learn an AdMech e-book, then the AdMech are the strongest and the good. And it is variety of like that within the recreation.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on PC on September 17, 2026. Commander Version gamers can play from September 14.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.