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"Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Definitive Edition Launches, Reviving 20-Year-Old RTS Classic"

by Ellie May 23,2025

Relic Entertainment has exciting news for fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe: they've announced Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition, a revamped version of their iconic 20-year-old real-time strategy (RTS) game. This edition is set to launch on PC via Steam and GOG later this year, bringing the classic gameplay experience up to date with modern hardware optimizations.

For those eager to dive into the details, IGN has an exclusive interview with design director Philippe Boulle that covers everything you need to know about Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition. It's a must-read for any fan of the series.

The community's long-standing desire for a revival of the Dawn of War franchise may finally be answered with this release. As the original game is hailed as one of the best, if not the best, Warhammer 40,000 titles ever created, there's hope that Relic might use this as a stepping stone towards developing a new entry, perhaps even Dawn of War 4.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition comes packed with comprehensive content, including all four classic Dawn of War campaigns, nine armies, and over 200 maps, all integrated into one game. It also features 4K support, upscaled textures (4x the originals), and image-based lighting for enhanced visual fidelity, while maintaining the essence of the classic experience. Improvements in world lighting, unit reflections, shadows, new unit gloss, and emissive lighting promise to enrich the moment-to-moment gameplay.

The game's camera has been updated to allow for a wider field of view, and the HUD and screen layout have been optimized for widescreen displays. Moreover, the game has been upgraded to a 64-bit platform to support the modding community's efforts, ensuring compatibility with over 20 years of community mods right from 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. He emphasized the goal of introducing new players to the origins of the Dawn of War franchise while allowing long-time fans to relive the entire experience.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition was unveiled during the Warhammer Skulls 2025 broadcast. If you missed the event, be sure to catch up on all the announcements and trailers to stay updated on the latest in the Warhammer universe.

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