‘Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’ release date: Fatshark delays the game to spring 2022

It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic started, but its effects are still very much felt in video game development. The list of delayed titles due to the worldwide health crisis continues to get longer, and it now includes Fatshark’s upcoming co-op action “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.”

‘Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’ release date

Fatshark announced the change in the “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” release date on Thursday in a statement on Twitter. The developer confirmed that the pandemic is one of the primary reasons for the delay and pushing the launch at a later period would allow them to achieve their goal to “deliver the best game we possibly can.”

“We are planning to use the extra time to both focus on the level of quality at release, as well as invest in more systems to support ‘Darkside’ for years to come,” Fatshark CEO Martin Wahlund added. “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” is currently slated to launch on PC via Steam and Xbox Series X/S. A specific release date was not mentioned in the announcement, but the game is planned to arrive sometime in the spring of next year.

‘Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’ gameplay

“Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” was first announced in 2020 during the Xbox showcase last summer. Since then, not many details have been revealed and most information about the game can be seen from its gameplay trailer. The teaser confirms the availability of Lascannon and a chainsword.

It will be a co-op title played in the first-person perspective, and fans will be able to assume the roles of an Imperial Guardsman and an Orgyn. Fatshark has yet to reveal other playable characters.

“Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” will share some elements that were previously introduced in other “Warhammer” games. However, the upcoming game will be distinct from its predecessors because its combat mechanics will not be largely dependent on melee attacks. Fatshark previously said that “Darktide” is planned to offer a 50/50 split of melee and ranged combat.

The Poxwalkers are going to be some of the main adversaries in “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide.” As the trailer shows, they come in massive hordes and its sheer size should be enough of a challenge. However, the Poxwalkers are not the smartest enemies in the game and developers confirmed players have an option to use stealth attacks to take them out.