Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 announced, and it is switching developers

The classic Dawn of War RTS franchise is returning, and Relic isn't at the helm. With four factions and more. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 has been announced for PC.

The classic real-time strategy franchise Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War received a surprise announcement during the Gamescom Opening Night Live showcase today, unveiling a fourth mainline entry. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 unveiling landed with a cinematic trailer, seen above, but it does have some 'work in progress' gameplay footage later in the video.

Dawn of War 4 is promising a return to the roots of what made the original games such massive success stories, which are still talked about by fans today. The launch will include four factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Adeptus Mechanicus (a first for the series). Large-scale battles with base building, army management, and brutal combat are all touted as major factors too.

"Enjoy an endlessly replayable collection of game modes, including the return of fan-favorite Last Stand," says the developer in the announcement today, describing the gameplay modes. "Fight highly-configurable AI battles in Skirmish, or take on the world in 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 multiplayer. Wherever you’re waging war, use the Painter tool to stamp your own unique personality on your fighting forces, as well as the option to use existing factions from the Warhammer 40,000 universe."

Deep Silver is publishing this entry of the real hit RTS series. However, Relic Entertainment is not the lead developer behind the project. Dawn of War 4 is being developed by King Art Games. This was the studio behind the Iron Harvest project, a Company of Heroes-style experience but set in an alternate universe with dieselpunk machines and aesthetics.

While Relic Entertainment developed and released the recent Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Definitive Edition remaster, it doesn't seem to be involved in this project at all. It is now an independent studio as well since it split off from Sega.

"Set many years after the events of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, war has returned to the planet Kronus, along with Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Warboss Gorgutz and several new commanders as four factions fight for supremacy," adds the developer.