Darktide Release Date: When Will Warhammer 40000 Action Game Release?

by Arthur · November 25, 2022

The Warhammer 40000 universe has had many video games over the years – but Darktide looks particularly special.

A large part of that is due to developer Fatshark, who helmed the acclaimed Warhammer: Vermintide 2 which became not only one of the best Warhammer games, but one of the best co-op experiences in recent memory.

Hopes are high then for Darktide, as the co-op hack-and-slash game has been reworked for the 41st century – here’s everything you need to know.

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When is the release date for Darktide?

Darktide release date is Wednesday 30 November on PC.

An Xbox Series X/S launch is expected “shortly after” – although the Xbox Warhammer 40000 Darktide website still lists the game as “coming 2022”.

Darktide was originally planned for a 2021 release, but was delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a desire to “improve stability, performance and to mature key systems”.

Can I pre-order Darktide?

Yes! You can pre-order Warhammer 40000 Darktide on Xbox Series X/S from Game and Argos, and on PC via Steam.

Anyone who pre-orders any version of the game on PC will get access to a pre-launch beta that began on November 17th and runs right through to November 29th before the game’s launch. Although the full game will not be fully available, eight missions in four zones are currently playable with two more missions to be added on November 28th.

All 13 missions and five zones will then be available on launch day. Developer Fatshark has stated that their goal is for beta progression to carry over to the full release, but “cannot fully guarantee” that this will be the case.

What consoles and platforms can play Darktide?

Darktide will be released on PC and will also launch day one on PC Game Pass. The Warhammer 40000 game is also coming to Xbox Series X/S at a later date, where it is expected to be released simultaneously on Xbox Game Pass.

Darktide gameplay and story details

Developers Fatshark previously helmed the well-received co-op action game Warhammer: Vermintide 2, and are now replicating that successful formula in the Warhammer 40k universe.

Once again, the gameplay will consist of four-player co-op action, but the fantasy melee weapons of Vermintide have now been replaced by futuristic chainsaws, power swords and ranged weapons. You will now also be able to customize your character, choose between the four classes Veteran, Zealot, Ogryn and Psyker and choose your gender and appearance.

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Written by Dan Abnett, a franchise veteran who has written a number of Warhammer novels, the game’s story follows a group of Inquisitorial agents investigating the Hive City of Tertium for potential Chaos infiltration. Based on the ship Mourningstar, players are sent by the Inquisition to various sectors of Tertium to fight off Nurgle attacks, setting up the game’s wave-based combat gameplay.

Darktide is planned to be a live-service game, with the story and gameplay evolving over time.

Is there a Darktide trailer?

There have been several trailers and gameplay showcases for Darktide – though this recent overview trailer covers all the bases with a comprehensive look at the game:

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