The company that thinks it owns the term “Space Marine” is teaming up with a new developer to make a new Warhammer 40,000 turn-based strategy game.
Games Workshop has signed an agreement with developer Slitherine to produce a new turn-based strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Dawn of War II, the last strategy game to be set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, was a popular real-time strategy game that was fairly well received. Relic Games, who made the Dawn of War franchise was owned by the recently bankrupted THQ. It was sold off to Sega in a bankruptcy auction, possibly ending their use of the Warhammer licence and explaining the new developer.
“This deal represents yet another testament to our continuous aim to reach new audiences, without losing sight of who we are and what we do best”, said JD McNeil, Chairman of the Slitherine Group. “It’s all about creating strategy games that are targeted to a particular audience and addressing a very specific need in the market. The Warhammer 40,000 setting is a perfect fit for the style of strategy games that we make and will be very popular with fantasy and science fiction fans alike. Joining forces with Games Workshop will allow us to bring an wonderfully deep and appropriate IP to the turn-based strategy genre.”
No further details of the game have surfaced yet. Slitherine is the developer known for infamously difficult turn-based strategy games such as Panzer Corps. Development is said to be underway on “multiple platforms.”
“Slitherine are clearly established and successful masters of their genre of games, and there are many fans of their work here at GW. It’s a pleasure to work with such like minded individuals who share our passion for strategy games of all types,” said Jon Gillard, Head of Licensing at Games Workshop.
Games Workshop recently claimed that the term “Space Marine” was its and its alone, and have been actively trying to enforce the trademark.
Source: Matrix Games
