Real-Time Strategy Games of the 2020s Codexery

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV

A new Dawn of War returns to Kronus with four factions.

Last updated

Played from a top-down viewpoint, Dawn of War IV is a real-time strategy title whose setting is Kronus, the same planet used in Dark Crusade.[1]

Making and release

The game is being developed by German studio King Art Games, not by Relic Entertainment which made previous Dawn of War titles.[2] Dawn of War IV was announced at Gamescom in August 2025.[3] The game drew significant inspiration from the original Dawn of War, particularly its emphasis on large-scale engagements.[4] To update the series, King Art introduced the "combat director," a feature that builds upon the original Sync Kill mechanic.[4]

Black Library author John French was brought on to craft the game's narrative.[4][5] King Art intended to release additional downloadable content and add a fifth faction within the game's first twelve months.[6]

What the cited sources add

LeBlanc noted that Adeptus Mechanicus are making their debut as a playable faction, and that Necrons were originally promised for Dawn of War III but not delivered.[5] LeBlanc also stated that each faction has well over a dozen missions, and critical narrative choices change how the campaign plays out.[5] Brown also noted that Iron Harvest generated comparisons with Relic's design philosophy, and that King Art would be at the top of his list to take on Dawn of War.[7]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: LeBlanc, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War IV Makes Me Want To Become An RTS Sicko", Game Informer, August 21, 2025; Yin-Poole, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 Is Finally a Reality — but Its Developer May Surprise You", IGN, August 20, 2025 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Tapsell, ""I don't think RTS is back; I don't think it's ever really gone away": Dawn of War 4 devs on taking over from Relic and reviving a legend of the genre", Eurogamer, August 21, 2025 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Makuch, "Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 Announced, Coming Next Year To PC", GameSpot, August 19, 2025 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Barovic, "Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 interview – Reaching for the future by embracing the past", Destructoid, August 22, 2025; Hafer, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 – First Impressions From a Series Veteran", IGN, August 21, 2025 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. LeBlanc, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War IV Makes Me Want To Become An RTS Sicko", Game Informer, August 21, 2025. facts only, no text reused. gameinformer.com
  6. Wikipedia, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Romano, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV delayed to December 3", Gematsu, August 12, 2026; Yin-Poole, "The Big Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Interview: Year 1 Roadmap, New Playable Factions, and More", IGN, May 22, 2026 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Brown, "I've played a few hours of Dawn of War 4, and it might just be the true sequel to the original game that we've been waiting for", PC Gamer, August 20, 2025. facts only, no text reused. pcgamer.com

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

Related entries

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Warhammer 40,000

More in Real-Time Strategy Games of the 2020s

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of RuinAge of Empires IVCataclismoDune: Spice WarsHomeworld 3ICBMIron HarvestKunitsu-Gami: Path of the GoddessLast Train HomeSins of a Solar Empire IIStarship Troopers: Terran CommandStronghold: Warlords

Test yourself

Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.

1. Which company developed "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV"?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is King Art Games.

2. Which company published "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV"?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Deep Silver.

3. Who directed "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV"?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Jan Theysen.

Answers checked against the source article

Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

Spotted an error? Know more?

Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced

Comments

Loading…
Open in the interactive codex →