Fans of real-time strategy games finally have something monumental to celebrate — Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 has been officially announced during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025. The long-awaited sequel brings back the franchise that first set the standard for Warhammer RTS gaming in 2004, and it comes with a major surprise: a new studio is taking the reins.
For years, Dawn of War has been synonymous with Relic Entertainment, the Canadian developer responsible for the original trilogy and its expansions. But contrary to expectations, Dawn of War 4 is being developed by King Art Games, best known for the alternate-history RTS Iron Harvest. The publishing will be handled by Deep Silver, with support from a German video game grant.
A Return to Classic Dawn of War Gameplay
One of the biggest criticisms of the last mainline entry, Dawn of War 3, was its departure from the franchise’s original RTS roots. The announcement of Dawn of War 4 makes it clear that King Art Games is doubling down on what fans loved about the earlier titles. The game promises “deeply satisfying gameplay” and a “brutal, expanded Sync Kill system” — a fan-favorite mechanic that delivers cinematic finishing moves during combat.
This focus on classic RTS gameplay is being seen as a course correction, aiming to bring back players who adored the original Dawn of War and its first expansions.
Factions and Campaigns
At launch, Dawn of War 4 will feature four playable factions: the iconic Space Marines, brutal Orks, mysterious Necrons, and — making their series debut — the Adeptus Mechanicus. Players will be able to dive into four expansive story campaigns featuring over 70 missions. Each campaign will include CGI intros, animated cutscenes, and an engaging narrative written by Black Library author John French, well-known for his Warhammer novels.
The return of beloved characters such as Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Warboss Gorgutz is set to fuel nostalgia while expanding the lore. The story is positioned years after Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, deliberately sidestepping the divisive entries that came after.
Game Modes and Features
Beyond its campaign, Dawn of War 4 is packed with content. The fan-favorite Last Stand mode is returning, alongside Skirmish battles with over 30 missions and full multiplayer support, including 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 matches across more than 30 maps. Players will also have access to an in-game editor, a painter tool for customizing armies, and a roster of more than 110 units and buildings.
With over 10 playable Commanders at launch, King Art Games is clearly aiming for both variety and replayability. The expanded Sync Kill animations promise to make combat more visceral and immersive than ever, while customizable units will allow fans to imprint their own Warhammer 40K identity onto the battlefield.
Setting and Atmosphere
The narrative of Dawn of War 4 is centered on the war-torn planet Kronus, which returns from Dark Crusade. The planet will feature diverse environments, including Hive Cities, Wastelands, Icelandic terrain, and industrial Manufactorums, giving players a wide variety of battlefields.
This blend of iconic Warhammer factions, beloved characters, and a planet filled with distinct biomes is designed to give Dawn of War fans the ultimate sandbox for epic RTS warfare.
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