A highly anticipated definitive edition of one of the most acclaimed Warhammer 40,000 games, Dawn of War, is set to release very soon. Fans who previously purchased the anniversary edition will receive a significant discount on this updated release.
Developer Relic Entertainment recently confirmed that Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition will launch on August 14. This enhanced version of the classic real-time strategy game, originally released by Relic in 2004, includes numerous improvements for modern systems. Players can expect support for widescreen and 4K resolutions, textures upscaled four times their original size, an improved camera, optimized HUD elements, and upgraded lighting, unit reflections, and shadows.
According to a press release, this edition has also been updated to a 64-bit platform. This upgrade is intended to “support the ongoing efforts of the modding community” and will maintain full compatibility with existing mods.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition will be priced at $30. It includes the base game along with all three expansions: Winter Assault, Dark Crusade, and Soulstorm. Each expansion added new playable armies and multiplayer maps, while Dark Crusade and Soulstorm also introduced additional, non-linear campaigns playable with different factions. Fan-favorite armies added through these expansions include the Imperial Guard, Necrons, and the Sisters of Battle.
This new Definitive Edition essentially supersedes the 2006 anniversary edition that also bundled the game`s content. Relic is offering a 30% discount on the Definitive Edition for owners of the older anniversary version. This discount is planned to remain available for “the foreseeable future,” bringing the price down to $21 for eligible “loyal fans.”
To commemorate the release date announcement, Relic released an enhanced 4K version of Dawn of War`s iconic original CGI trailer. The trailer famously depicts the Space Marines of the Blood Ravens Legion engaged in a fierce battle against an Orkish horde.
While the updated trailer was generally well-received by fans, one specific change caused some minor controversy: the removal of a Space Marine sergeant`s distinctive scream, which was replaced with voiceover from a prominent character not featured in the original scene. Relic responded to the feedback, stating to IGN that the original “roar was even more beloved than we realized,” and hinted that they “may have something for OG roar enjoyers before long.”
In other recent Warhammer 40K video game news, Space Marine 2 recently received its long-awaited Siege mode update. In contrast, the remastered release of the original Space Marine has encountered significant technical issues, leading publisher Sega to offer refunds to players.