The grim darkness of the far future is finally coming to Total War! After years of fan requests and speculation, Creative Assembly has officially announced Total War Warhammer 40K, bringing the award-winning strategy franchise to the beloved science-fantasy universe. This revolutionary game promises to blend Total War’s signature turn-based strategy with cinematic real-time battles on a galactic scale never seen before. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise or new to both series, this guide will give you all the essential information about release dates, platforms, factions, and gameplay features that make this the most ambitious Total War game yet.
Key Takeaways
- Release Window: Total War Warhammer 40K is expected in 2027, with developers promising more details in 2026
- Platforms: The game will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S – marking the franchise’s console debut
- Four Launch Factions: Players can command Space Marines, Orks, Aeldari, or Astra Militarum, each with unique playstyles
- Gameplay: Features the classic Total War blend of turn-based strategy and real-time battles, but on a galactic scale
- New Customization: For the first time in Total War history, players can deeply customize their war machines with unprecedented detail
- Galactic Warfare: Capture planets, manage fleets, and even unleash apocalyptic orbital bombardment
When Will Total War Warhammer 40K Be Released?
Total War Warhammer 40K doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but developers have given us a solid timeline. The game is not expected to release before 2027, with Creative Assembly promising to share more information throughout 2026. This timeline makes perfect sense when you consider that 2027 marks the 40th anniversary of the Warhammer 40K universe – what better way to celebrate than with the definitive strategy game adaptation?
The development team at Creative Assembly has been working on this project for some time, ensuring they get it right. Given the massive scope of bringing both the Total War gameplay formula and the vast Warhammer 40K universe together, taking extra development time is actually good news. It means we’ll get a more polished and feature-complete game that does justice to both beloved franchises.
What Platforms Will Total War Warhammer 40K Be Available On?
In a major first for the Total War series, Warhammer 40K will launch on three platforms simultaneously: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This marks the first time a mainline Total War game will be available on consoles right from launch, opening up the franchise to a whole new audience of strategy gamers.
For PC players, you can already wishlist the game on Steam, ensuring you’ll get notified as soon as pre-orders or more information becomes available. Console players should keep an eye on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Marketplace for similar wishlist functionality. The cross-platform availability suggests Creative Assembly is putting significant effort into optimizing the game’s controls and interface for gamepad play, which could make future Total War console releases more likely.
How Does Total War Warhammer 40K Gameplay Work?
Total War Warhammer 40K gameplay combines the best elements the franchise is known for, but on a much grander scale. The game features the classic Total War blend of turn-based strategy and real-time battles that fans love, but with some exciting new twists suited to the science-fantasy setting.
On the galactic map, you’ll engage in turn-based strategy across a vast sandbox of planets and star systems. You’ll capture planets, upgrade your fleets, manage your war economy, and make strategic decisions that affect your entire campaign. This galactic layer adds a whole new dimension to the traditional Total War campaign map.
When it’s time for battle, the game switches to real-time combat where you command armies across war-torn planets. These battles feature destructible terrain, diverse biomes, and the brutal warfare that defines the Warhammer 40K universe. You’ll deploy elite squads, devastating war machines, and powerful strategic abilities that can reshape the battlefield itself.
What makes this unique is the connection between the two layers. You might bombard enemy positions from orbit during the campaign phase, weakening them before your ground forces even land. Or you might need to defend captured planets from counterattacks, adding a layer of strategic depth never before seen in a Total War game.
Which Factions Can You Play in Total War Warhammer 40K?
At launch, Total War Warhammer 40K will feature four iconic factions from the Warhammer 40K universe, each offering a radically different playstyle:
Space Marines: These genetically enhanced warriors are few in number but incredibly powerful. Clad in sacred armor and wielding the Imperium’s most deadly weaponry, each Space Marine strikes with devastating precision. They’re perfect for players who prefer tactical precision and elite, high-quality units over sheer numbers.
Orks: If you love overwhelming your enemies with brute force, the Orks are for you. These brutish hordes are unrelenting and countless, living only for war. They storm the battlefield in endless mobs, brandishing unpredictable weapons and clanking war machines all driven by the primal power of the WAAAGH! They’re ideal for players who enjoy aggressive, high-risk playstyles.
Aeldari: As an ancient and waning race, the Aeldari once ruled the stars but now fight against their inevitable doom. They’re swift and elusive, striking with psychic precision and elegant weaponry before vanishing into shadow. They appeal to players who prefer hit-and-run tactics, psychological warfare, and sophisticated strategies.
Astra Militarum: Representing the massed ranks of humanity’s largest fighting force, the Astra Militarum is a bulwark of flesh and steel. Their legions of soldiers march beneath the roar of battle-tanks and thunder of artillery, grinding enemies into ruin with disciplined fury. They’re perfect for players who love combined arms tactics and overwhelming firepower.
What Makes the War Machine Customization Special?
For the first time in Total War history, Warhammer 40K introduces deep war machine customization that brings the freedom of tabletop gaming to life. This feature allows you to create an army that’s truly your own, with unprecedented control over visual and tactical elements.
You can personalize your army by naming your warband, choosing its sacred colors, and emblazoning its regiments with iconography that strikes fear into your enemies. But the customization goes much deeper than just appearance. You can modify your warriors by tailoring your faction’s combat philosophy for both campaign and battle, arming them with unique combinations of tactical abilities, signature traits, and arcane wargear.
This level of customization means that even two players using the same faction can have wildly different armies that play and feel unique. Whether you want to create a chapter of Space Marines specialized in lightning assaults, an Ork clan obsessed with firepower, or an Aeldari craftworld focused on psychic warfare, the customization system gives you the tools to make your vision a reality.
How Does Total War Warhammer 40K Compare to Previous Games?
Total War Warhammer 40K represents several major firsts and innovations for the franchise. While it maintains the core gameplay loop that made the series famous, it introduces several elements that set it apart from previous entries.
The most obvious difference is the setting. Instead of historical periods or fantasy realms, you’re commanding armies in the far future with advanced technology, plasma weapons, and space warfare. This sci-fi setting allows for gameplay mechanics that wouldn’t work in other Total War games, like orbital bombardment, fleet management, and planet-scale conquest.
The galactic scale is another major departure. While previous Total War games featured continental or regional maps, Warhammer 40K gives you an entire galaxy to conquer. This adds layers of strategic depth as you must manage resources across multiple star systems, defend captured planets, and project power across vast distances.
The console debut is also significant. By launching simultaneously on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, Creative Assembly is making the Total War experience accessible to console players for the first time. This could open up new possibilities for the franchise and bring strategic gaming to a wider audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Total War Warhammer 40K Coming to Game Pass?
While there’s no official confirmation about Game Pass availability, it’s certainly possible given Microsoft’s push to bring major titles to the service. The game is coming to Xbox Series X/S, which makes Game Pass inclusion a realistic possibility. However, don’t expect any official announcements until closer to the 2027 release window. For now, PC players can wishlist on Steam, and console players should keep an eye on their respective stores for more information.
Will There Be Space Combat and Fleet Battles?
Space combat is one of the most anticipated features for Total War Warhammer 40K, and while the developers haven’t shown detailed gameplay yet, they’ve hinted at fleet management and orbital mechanics. The galactic campaign layer includes fleet upgrades and orbital bombardment capabilities, suggesting that space warfare will play a role in the game. Whether this means full fleet battles or more strategic space elements remains to be seen, but expect space to be an important part of your galactic conquest strategy.
How Many Factions Will Be Available at Launch?
Total War Warhammer 40K will launch with four playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Aeldari, and Astra Militarum. Each faction has been designed with unique gameplay mechanics, units, and playstyles that reflect their lore in the Warhammer 40K universe. Given Creative Assembly’s history with the Warhammer games, it’s highly likely that additional factions will be added through DLC and expansions post-launch, similar to how they supported the previous Warhammer trilogy.
Can You Create Your Own Custom Faction?
Yes! One of the most exciting features of Total War Warhammer 40K is the deep customization system that allows you to create your own custom warbands. You can name your faction, choose its colors and iconography, and customize its combat philosophy with unique abilities and traits. This goes beyond simple cosmetic changes and affects how your army plays, making each custom faction feel unique both visually and tactically.
Will This Game Have Multiplayer?
While Creative Assembly hasn’t detailed the multiplayer features yet, it’s almost certain that Total War Warhammer 40K will include some form of multiplayer. The Total War series has a strong tradition of multiplayer features, including head-to-head battles and cooperative campaigns. Given the galactic scale of this game, we might see innovative multiplayer modes that could include large-scale galactic conquest with multiple players, though specific details will likely be revealed closer to release.
How Big Will the Galactic Map Be?
The galactic map in Total War Warhammer 40K is described as a “vast galactic sandbox,” suggesting it will be significantly larger than any previous Total War campaign map. Instead of regions on a continent, you’ll be dealing with entire planets and star systems. This scale allows for unprecedented strategic depth, as you must manage resources across multiple worlds, defend captured planets, and plan conquests across interstellar distances. The exact number of planets and star systems hasn’t been revealed, but expect a map that offers hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Will There Be DLC and Expansions?
Given Creative Assembly’s extensive support for the previous Warhammer trilogy, it’s virtually certain that Total War Warhammer 40K will receive substantial DLC and expansion support. This will likely include additional factions, new units, legendary lords, and possibly even new gameplay mechanics. The Warhammer 40K universe is incredibly rich with dozens of playable factions, so there’s plenty of material for years of post-launch content that could expand the game well beyond its initial release.
Conclusion
Total War Warhammer 40K represents a bold new chapter for both the Total War franchise and Warhammer gaming. By combining the series’ signature blend of turn-based strategy and real-time battles with the rich lore and brutal warfare of the Warhammer 40K universe, Creative Assembly is creating what could be the ultimate strategy game experience. With its 2027 release window, console debut, four distinct factions, and unprecedented customization options, this game has the potential to redefine what players expect from strategy games.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Total War, a devotee of the Warhammer 40K universe, or simply someone who loves deep strategic gameplay, Total War Warhammer 40K promises to deliver an experience unlike anything else. The galactic scale, faction diversity, and customization options ensure that every playthrough will feel unique and engaging. Now is the perfect time to wishlist the game on Steam and follow the official channels for updates as we approach 2027. The grim darkness of the far future awaits, and it’s going to be glorious!
