Editorial: A Possible Ideal Warhammer 40 000 Video Game and a Suggested Direction for The Video Games in the Franchise

Warhammer 40 000 video games are something we have discussed in quite lengthy detail here at Real Otaku Gamer, because we are fans of the franchise. But what direction can be taken that has not yet? Well, there is one idea that Games Workshop should be intrigued by and want to try.

Imagine a 4X game where players choose a chapter of space marines, take control of the chapter master and grow the chapter from the ground up. Organize the chapter’s battle brothers, the librarius, decide the specialty of the chapter and more. At the same time, there would be a need for negotiating with Imperial worlds for new aspirants while having to stay on good terms with the Mechanicus so they will continue aiding the chapter.

Players will have to determine the missions the chapter takes so as to balance expectations from the chapter’s allies and those they need resources from. Players could send the chapter on missions to take down enemies and have space battles, while also going to assist other imperial forces such as the Sororitas and Imperial Guard. The more players assist other factions, the more they will come to the chapter’s aid, but there is a risk of spreading the chapter’s forces too thin.

This all sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, that is because what is being described is the fan game Chapter Master that Games Workshop sent a Cease-and-Desist order to. The fan game was far better than many recent official 40K games, and while it lives on as a mod for another game (Interstellar Army Simulator 2015), the fact is that there was more potential for another route. What if Games Workshop hired the developers of the fan game/mod to make an official product?

Games Workshop has been hiring fan animators to work on projects for Warhammer+, so why not hire fan developers to actually develop their ideas into official games?  40K games have been very hit or miss and passionate developers getting the full backing and approval of Games Workshop could be what fans have been wanting and be a sales success. Games Workshop has been getting on the bad side of many fans lately, and this could be a good way to win back those who have fallen away from Warhammer.

Games like Chapter Master are too good to be left out of sight while lacklustre games are released, and this could be the kick-in-the-pants 40K games need. It would be an extension of what Games Workshop is already doing and not a stretch at all. They could hardly do worse than some of the bad games already released.