According to a report on GameSpot, THQ has announced formal plans to create a MMOG (massive multiplayer online game) based on the successful Warhammer 40,000 sci-fi universe. Along with this announcement, THQ mentioned that it has extended its partnership with Warhammer 40,000 tabletop creator Games Workshop. THQ will retain worldwide rights to the franchise, including publishing rights on consoles, handhelds, PC, wireless, and online titles. The MMOG is planned to launch across the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Other preliminary details have not yet been announced, including planned platforms or a release date. It should be noted that this MMOG should not be confused with the other MMORPG based on the Warhammer franchise, which is a different universe than the Warhammer 40,000 franchise.
THQ’s Vigil Games will be the team handling development of the new title. Even though this will be the company’s first game, it is comprised of a variety of talent that has worked on games including Unreal Tournament, Ghost Recon, Dark Age of Camelot, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
Hints of a Warhammer 40,000 MMOG arose last November when Relic Entertainment posted job listings searching for MMOG developers. It’s unknown if Relic Entertainment will be involved in any way with this project, since Vigil Games is the announced developer.
Relic has achieved worldwide recognition and success with its adaptation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe into an RTS franchise, which is entitled Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Since its release in 2004, the series spawned two expansion packs: Winter Assault and Dark Crusade. In the interview it was also revealed that the Dawn of War franchise has sold over 2 million units worldwide and future games in the Dawn of War franchise are planned, but that there is nothing to announce at this time.
