Warhammer 40,000: Darktide was revealed last year, promising players a grisly cooperative experience set in the iconic tabletop wargame's universe. While the shooter was initially slated to launch on Xbox Series X and PC later this year, it seems developer Fatshark needs a little more time to work on the upcoming Warhammer tie-in, announcing today that it's postponing its release.
As confirmed via Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's Twitter page, the studio has made the decision to delay the shooter to spring 2022, with an attached statement revealing that the pandemic has significantly delayed production. "It's no secret that building a game during a pandemic is a challenge," Fatshark CEO Martin Wahlund noted in the post. "We are planning to use the extra time to both focus on the level of quality at release, as well as invest in more systems to support Darktide for years to come."
The studio head admits that he's disappointed fans won't be able to experience the game in the coming months, although he expresses that the delay will lead to a much better game in the long run. Darktide isn't the first game to be delayed this year due to the pandemic, with the list also including Ghostwire Tokyo, Gotham Knights, Hogwarts Legacy, Lord of the Rings: Gollum, Sifu, and the new God of War. Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst even hinted that Horizon Forbidden West could get pushed back depending on the game's production, noting that it's currently on track but scheduling issues could see it release later than expected.
Darktide will seemingly be worth the wait for Warhammer fans, with early details about the game suggesting that it will come packed with high-octane action and plenty of lore for diehard 40K enthusiasts. In terms of the latter, Fatshark has even brought aboard renowned Warhammer author Dan Abnett to pen the story, which will focus on a group of prisoners who are recruited by the Inquisition. The writer teased that Darktide will be a very human story, with its four protagonists forced to go up against the various intimidating factions that lurk on Atoma Prime.
In terms of gameplay, players who have played Fatshark's Warhammer Vermintide games will feel right at home, as they're tasked with slicing, shooting, and beating their way through waves of creepy enemies in an effort to survive. Although the game will no longer be one of 2021's marquee releases, it will join an absolutely stacked lineup for 2022, which already boasts the likes of God of War's sequel, Breath of the Wild 2, Elden Ring, Starfield, Suicide Squad Kills the Justice League, and many more.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is slated to launch on PC and Xbox Series in 2022.