(Image credit: KingART) Jump to: Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Get the Space.com Newsletter Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletterGames Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe is enjoying a lot of success right now, but few recent announcements have made us more excited for its future than "Dawn of War 4". We thought the series was done for after 2017's disappointing threequel, but we're thrilled to be proven wrong.
So far, "Dawn of War 4" is promising a return to the real-time strategy of the original 2004 game. It's even returning to Kronus, picking up plot threads from the excellent "Dark Crusade" expansion pack.
Development falls on a new studio — KING Art Games — this time around, but based on their previous game, Iron Harvest, they've got the tools to nail this.
Article continues belowWhen is "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" coming out?
(Image credit: KingART)
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" is set to release at some point in 2026.
Publisher Deep Silver and developer KING Art haven't locked a release window for Dawn of War 4 yet, but the marketing materials released so far confirm the intention remains to launch it at some point this year.
Get the Space.com NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsAs always, be ready for potential delays, but considering the volume of the marketing efforts at the time of writing, we're quite confident it'll release in 2026.
Is "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" coming to consoles?
(Image credit: KingART)
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" is only confirmed to launch on PC (Windows) at the time of writing.
Like the previous games in the series, and despite studio KING Art's experience with consoles, the fourth installment is sticking to PC (Steam) for now. This means the gameplay and interface have been fully designed with a hardcore PC strategy experience in mind. No doubt, this will make diehards of the RTS genre happy.
We wouldn't rule out console ports at a later date if the game turns out to be a massive success, though.
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" trailers
Since its announcement on August 19, 2025, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" has received several trailers with both CGI and in-engine gameplay footage.
It seems that Games Workshop and Deep Silver's marketing rollout plans are gradual, leaving us with few gaps with no news on the game. You can watch all of them below (and we'll update the list as more arrive):
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - Official Announce Trailer | Opening Night Live 2025 - YouTube
Watch On Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - "Back to War" In-Engine Trailer - YouTube 
Watch On Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - Story Trailer - YouTube 
Watch On Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - Ork CGI Trailer - YouTube 
Watch On Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - Orks Faction Trailer - YouTube 
Watch On What type of game is "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4"?
(Image credit: KingART)
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" is a traditional real-time strategy (RTS) game that aims to recapture the gameplay loop and rhythm of the original Dawn of War, which was Relic Entertainment's creation.
It's a solid assumption that the main reason for the studio change was "Dawn of War 3"'s lacklustre reception, with Relic leaving behind the rock-solid style of RTS it nailed with the original game. While the second and third entries weren't bad games, they certainly felt like something entirely different. After nearly a decade, it makes sense that Games Workshop wanted to move forward with a different studio.
The marketing materials talk of "Dawn of War 4" embracing its roots, "with classic Dawn of War gameplay" and a reworked combat system that retains the classic squad system and base-building mechanics the series is known for. The ins and outs of the game systems aren't detailed yet, but we also know there will be a significant story campaign split into parts that focus on each faction available in the game at launch.
What factions are confirmed for "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4"?
(Image credit: KingART)
Only four factions are confirmed to be part of "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4"'s roster at launch: the Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Adeptus Mechanicus.
Each faction packs completely different units and building designs and strategies, so even if one of your favorites hasn't been included, expect a deep and flexible take on RTS warfare.
There are some extra details worth underlining here: Since the original reveal of the game, we've learned the Space Marines will be represented by two factions, the red Blood Ravens and the Dark Angels. In the story campaign, we'll switch between the two Adeptus Astartes chapters, and it's been said that the other modes will treat them as separate entities as well, even though they're allies with many similarities.
As for the Adeptus Mechanicus, they're also servants of the Imperium of Man, but they're focused secret threat lurking below Kronus' surface, Given their rising popularity after a staring role in "Warhammer 40000: Mechanicus" (and the upcoming sequel, "Mechanicus 2"), it no surprise they're finally getting their Dawn of War series debut as a fully featured faction.
Looking at the bad guys, we've got the ever-present Orks — a war-loving race who focus on hordes of Boyz and ramshackle vehicles held together with hope, rivets, and maybe a little magic. Finally, the immortal Necrons have once again awoken on Kronus, and they're as grumpy as ever. Real "get off my lawn" energy from these robotic horrors.
What multiplayer modes are playable in "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4"?
(Image credit: KingART)
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" includes both co-op and competitive multiplayer modes. Moreover, the massive campaign supports solo and co-op play from beginning to end and is over 70 missions long.
The three-player, horde survival classic mode Last Stand is also set to make a huge return, though the player count could be higher this time around. On the competitive front, 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 battles are confirmed for online multiplayer.
On top of the aforementioned campaign, solo players can also enjoy customizable AI battles in a traditional Skirmish mode. And if you were a big fan of customising your army to match your tabletop scheme, the Painter Tool from previous games is back, too.
Is "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" a sequel to Dark Crusade?
(Image credit: KingART)
"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4" continues the Dark Crusade storyline, but is set 200 years after the original game. It's led by veteran character Cyrus of the Blood Ravens and psyker Jonah Orion.
Some renowned Warhammer 40,000 figures, such as Lion El'Jonson, also make an appearance. Black Library author John French has co-written the story, so expect meaty lore and a tight understanding of what makes this universe special.
The Space Marines are attempting to reclaim Kronus from the filthy xenos on the planet, leading a heroic charge into a massive Ork army as the Necrons rise again. December 2025's story trailer showed the Blood Ravens having a hard time on the surface, but the Dark Angels answer their call, covering the world in endless war once again. Is victory achievable? Only the Emperor knows.
More will be revealed in the future, and we're particularly curious about the "ancient horror" below that the Mechanicus priests might've awoken. Given the Necrons' presence (and the lack of Chaos factions in the roster), our money is on a C'tan, one of the Necron star gods.
Stay tuned for the latest news on what's guiding this new chapter of the Dawn of War series forward.
Fran RuizFran Ruiz is our resident Star Wars guy. His hunger for movies and TV series is only matched by his love for video games. He got a BA of English Studies, focusing on English Literature, from the University of Malaga, in Spain, as well as a Master's Degree in English Studies, Multilingual and Intercultural Communication. On top of writing features and other longform articles for Space.com since 2021, he is a frequent collaborator of VG247 and other gaming sites. He also serves as associate editor over at Star Wars News Net and its sister site, Movie News Net.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout MORE FROM SPACE...
1Kristen Stewart will play Sally Ride, the 1st American woman in space, as Amazon finally greenlights mini-series 'The Challenger'- 2NASA's Artemis 2 moon astronauts are 'fortunate' to have a private space toilet — Apollo crews pooped in plastic bags
- 3'We work for them, too': Artemis 2 moon mission is for everyone, NASA astronaut Victor Glover says (video)
- 4'It's all I think about': Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman is zeroed in on historic moon mission
- 5Making Canadian history: Artemis 2 astronaut Jeremy Hansen is ready for his epic moon mission
