Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 has been officially unveiled at Opening Night Live 2025, complete with a debut trailer, glimpses of gameplay, a new faction joining the series for the first time, and an unexpected development team.
The beloved real-time strategy franchise first launched in 2004 with Relic Entertainment's Dawn of War, and many assumed that if a fourth installment were ever created, Relic would be the studio behind it. In fact, Relic recently released Dawn of War Definitive Edition, revitalizing interest in the series.
However, Dawn of War 4 is being developed by King Art Games, the studio responsible for the alternate 1920s RTS Iron Harvest, and published by Deep Silver (known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Dead Island 2), with support from a German video game development grant.
So what can players expect from Dawn of War 4? It's positioned as a return to the series' origins, a move that will likely delight fans of the original game. Look forward to "deeply satisfying gameplay" and a "brutal, expanded Sync Kill system." Sync Kills have always been a standout feature in the Dawn of War series, showcasing impressive animations when specific units eliminate enemies.
Four factions will be available at launch: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and—making their Dawn of War debut—the Adeptus Mechanicus. The game includes four story campaigns with more than 70 missions in total, complete with what are described as "spectacular" CGI intros and fully animated cutscenes. You can tackle the campaign solo or cooperatively with a friend, following a story written by Black Library author John French (renowned for the Ahriman series).
The Blood Ravens chapter of Space Marines makes a comeback, alongside familiar characters from earlier games such as Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Warboss Gorgutz. The narrative is set "many years" after the events of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, the second expansion for the original Dawn of War. Notably, today's announcement makes no reference to Dawn of War 2 or the poorly received Dawn of War 3, suggesting Dawn of War 4 aims to tap into the lasting appeal of the more traditional RTS foundation.
Beyond the campaign, players can dive into Last Stand and Skirmish modes featuring over 30 missions, plus multiplayer with more than 30 maps. The game offers over 10 playable Commanders, 110+ units and buildings—many customizable—an in-game editor, and a painter tool for personalizing units.
Here’s the official blurb:
The series returns to its roots with classic Dawn of War gameplay and a combat system crafted to bring the brutal warfare of Warhammer 40,000 to life like never before. Expand your army, establish your base, specialize your squads, and experience an enhanced Sync Kill system that delivers unmatched detail in melee combat.
A wide range of replayable game modes awaits, including the return of the fan-favorite Last Stand mode. Take on highly customizable AI opponents in Skirmish, or challenge other players in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 multiplayer. Wherever you fight, use the Painter tool to leave your unique mark on your forces, with the option to incorporate existing factions from the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Set many years after Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, war has returned to the planet Kronus. Familiar faces like Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Warboss Gorgutz are joined by new commanders as four factions battle for dominance. Kronus features diverse biomes, including Wasteland, Iceland, Highlands, and Hive City & Manufactorum regions.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 is scheduled for release in 2026. For more announcements from Opening Night Live 2025, check out our full coverage.
