When builders exhibit their video games, they have an inclination to defeat the enemy AI in spectacular style. However that’s precisely the reverse of what occurs in the gameplay King Artwork Video games simply launched for its upcoming real-time technique sport Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4.
In the video, beneath, inventive director Jan Theysen and senior sport designer Elliott Verbiest workforce up towards Arduous AI Orks in a 2v2 Workforce Skirmish PvE battle. These two builders have been at the helm of just about all the Dawn of War 4 battlefield report movies launched thus far. However these earlier gameplay movies concentrate on PvP; this time, Theysen and Verbiest be a part of forces to face the enemy AI — they usually determine to go up towards arduous mode.
The video exhibits two matches, the first of which fits so spectacularly badly for the poor builders that they undergo defeat in simply over 4 minutes. They declare {that a} apply spherical — mere coaching earlier than the second match, in which the pair promise they’re “locked in.” Additionally they enhance the quantity of Victory Factors wanted to assist lengthen the size of the match… simply in case.
Effectively, that didn’t assist both. The brutal, overwhelming Orks stomp throughout the Emperor’s best, delivering the variety of sweeping beatdown befitting of a Waaagh! Theysen and Verbiest do their finest to maintain tempo with capturing factors and goals, however are unable to fend off wave after wave of assaults even with auto reinforce of their models on. Behind in Victory Factors and starved of assets, Theysen and Verbiest need to strategy to generate a response military to combat again when the Orks make a push in direction of their base.
“I believe I’ve to have a stern phrase with our coders about the arduous mode problem,” Theysen jokes as he realises the Space Marines are accomplished for. “I imply it’s imagined to be arduous but additionally the boss is meant to win!”
“I’ve little question that gamers will come again to us inside like just a few weeks of launch and inform us, ‘Truly we have managed to beat this inside two days,’ Verbiest provides.
“I’m fairly certain that the folks in the feedback will talk about our shortcomings!” Theysen concludes.
This second match and the video itself ends unceremoniously: with Theysen hitting the give up button earlier than the Orks ship the last blow. “This could be the second loss in a row which tells you two issues,” he says. “First of all, we aren’t that good at our personal sport. And in addition the AI is fairly sturdy.
“This can be a give up. It was an honor enjoying with you, however we did not make it. Perhaps subsequent time. See you quickly. Bye.”
And that’s that. The second match lasted 13 minutes, which is quite a bit higher than the first, however clearly not what Theysen and Verbiest have been hoping for. I truly actually loved the video, not solely as a result of it affords a primary take a look at two-player co-op towards the enemy AI, however as a result of it exhibits how assured the builders are in the sport itself. They may have thrown that gameplay out and recorded a brand new match on regular problem, and even tried arduous AI once more, and once more, till they secured a win. However no, they wished followers to see what Dawn of War 4 appears to be like like because it stands in the present day — warts and all — even when meaning the builders aren’t lined in glory in the course of.
It appears followers have responded effectively to the video too. “Fairly cool that you simply guys confirmed the defeat and the way arduous the AI will be. Fairly attention-grabbing!” one particular person mentioned in the YouTube feedback. “I’ll by no means do arduous in a Warhammer sport Orks simply nuke you,” one other particular person, clearly aware of the method Orks work, supplied.
Dawn of War 4 hits PC on December 3, 2026. I believe I’m going to stay with regular problem!
Wesley Yin-Poole
Director, Information
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You may attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.