Relic Entertainment has thrilled fans by announcing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition, a modernized take on the iconic 20-year-old real-time strategy game. Set to launch later this year on PC via Steam and GOG, this edition brings the beloved gameplay into the present with optimizations for today's hardware.
IGN's exclusive interview with design director Philippe Boulle dives deep into the details of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of the series.
The Dawn of War community has long yearned for a revival of the franchise, and the original game, often hailed as one of the finest Warhammer 40,000 titles ever created, is the perfect candidate for a fresh start. There's a hopeful buzz that Relic might use this release as a stepping stone toward developing a new entry in the series, possibly *Dawn of War 4*.The Definitive Edition is a comprehensive package, including all content from the original Dawn of War and its standalone expansions. This encompasses four classic campaigns, nine armies, and over 200 maps, all seamlessly integrated into one game. Enhanced visuals include 4K support, upscaled textures that are four times larger than the originals, and image-based lighting to boost fidelity while maintaining the classic feel. Improvements extend to world lighting, unit reflections, shadows, and new unit gloss and emissive lighting, all designed to enhance the moment-to-moment action.
The camera has been upgraded to allow for a wider field of view, and the HUD and screen layout have been optimized for widescreen displays. The game has been transitioned to a 64-bit platform to support the vibrant modding community, ensuring compatibility with over two decades of community-created mods upon release.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition Screenshots
View 11 Images
“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 unveiled 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.