Warhammer 40K is an iconic name in the gaming industry with its legacy tracing back to its tabletop gaming roots in the 1980s. The franchise has stepped into a variety of different mediums over the three-and-a-half decades since its debut with novels, a film, a TV series, and plenty of video games. Developer Fatshark's upcoming Warhammer 40K: Darktide looks to serve as a follow-up to 2018's successful Vermintide 2. However, a recent announcement from Fatshark has revealed fans will be waiting a bit longer to dive into the newest Warhammer adventure.
A new delay would not be the first time Warhammer 40K: Darktide's release has been pushed back. Fatshark had previously planned for the game to be released in 2021 before the developer would experience setbacks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Darktide had originally been pushed into Spring 2022 after its first delay with a later change setting the game's launch date for September 13. Now, with the previously announced release date just over a month away, Fatshark has officially confirmed Darktide's launch date will be moved to November.
In an official statement from Fatshark CEO Martin Wahlund, it was revealed that Warhammer 40K: Darktide's official release date on PC has now been shifted to November 30. Wahlund cited the need for more time to enhance the game's "stability, performance, and to mature key systems." The developer did not specify a new release date for the Xbox Series X/S version, saying a date will come later. Darktide was set to launch as a Day 1 title on Xbox Game Pass following its release.
While Wahlund expressed the difficulty the developer faces in choosing to delay the game, he also invited fans to join the company in the development process. Fatshark revealed a series of technical tests and betas would be coming ahead of Warhammer 40K: Darktide's November launch with fans able to sign up through Darktide's official website. The Darktide website confirms the first round of tests are set to begin "as early as mid-August," with selections based on a player's given PC hardware. Fatshark also confirmed later tests for console versions of the game on multiple platforms, including the Windows Store and Xbox.
Despite the longer wait for Darktide's release, the game's previous reveals have given fans of Warhammer 40K plenty to look forward to. Fatshark has revealed Darktide will introduce a new class to the franchise, as well as implementing live-service elements similar to Destiny 2 with the potential for story expansion. Darktide will also reportedly feature thousands of voice lines with inter-character banter on par with its predecessor, Vermintide 2. With the release date now pushed into the holiday season, fans of Warhammer 40K hope that Darktide will be worth the wait.
Warhammer 40K: Darktide will release on November 30 for PC with an Xbox Series X/S release to come later.