Relic Entertainment has unveiled Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition, a revamped version of their iconic 20-year-old real-time strategy game. Set to launch later this year on PC through Steam and GOG, this edition aims to bring the original gameplay back to life, optimized for today's hardware. For an in-depth look at what's new, check out IGN's exclusive interview with design director Philippe Boulle, which is a must-read for any Dawn of War aficionado.
The gaming community has been eagerly awaiting a resurgence of the Dawn of War series, and the first installment, often hailed as one of the finest Warhammer 40,000 titles, could be the perfect starting point. There's a strong hope that Relic will leverage this release to pave the way for a new entry, perhaps Dawn of War 4.
The Definitive Edition is a comprehensive package, featuring all content from the original Dawn of War and its standalone expansions. This includes four classic campaigns, nine armies, and over 200 maps, all integrated into one game. Enhancements include 4K support, upscaled textures at four times the resolution of the originals, and image-based lighting, ensuring a higher level of visual fidelity while maintaining the classic experience. Improvements to world lighting, unit reflections, and shadows, along with new unit gloss and emissive lighting, promise to enrich the action on-screen.
The camera system has been updated to allow for a broader view, and the HUD and screen layout have been optimized for widescreen displays. Additionally, the game has been upgraded to a 64-bit platform, enhancing support for the modding community and ensuring compatibility with over two decades of community-created mods at launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition Screenshots
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“The Definitive Edition celebrates the original Dawn of War and preserves the legacy of this landmark Warhammer 40,000 title for years to come,” stated Justin Dowdeswell, CEO at Relic Entertainment. “Warhammer 40,000 is more popular than ever, and we want new players to experience where the classic Dawn of War franchise began, while providing a platform for our long-time fans to relive it in its entirety.”
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition was announced during the Warhammer Skulls 2025 broadcast. If you missed the event, be sure to catch up on all the announcements and trailers that were showcased.
