Is Total War and 40k the Same Universe?
In the vast world of strategy games, there are two behemoths that reign supreme: Total War and Warhammer 40,000 (40k). Both have captured the hearts of gamers worldwide, offering a unique blend of action, strategy, and RPG elements. But, what many fans of both franchises may not know is whether these two powerhouses are connected. Are they set in the same universe? If so, to what extent? Let’s dive in and explore the relationship between Total War and 40k.
A Shared Fantasy
To answer the question, let’s take a step back and look at the basics. Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniatures wargame set in a grimdark science fiction universe. The game’s lore is built around the Imperium of Man, a vast interstellar empire that is struggling to survive against countless threats. In contrast, Total War is a real-time strategy series that has taken on various settings, including historical and fantasy worlds. However, in 2016, Creative Assembly, the developer of Total War, and Games Workshop, the publisher of Warhammer 40,000, collaborated to create a fantasy setting inspired by the Warhammer world.
Warhammer and Total War
The first Total War game set in the Warhammer world was Warhammer: Dawn of War, released in 2004. This game marked the beginning of a successful partnership between Creative Assembly and Games Workshop, which has since resulted in several spin-offs, including Warhammer: Mark of Chaos and Warhammer: Empire. In 2016, Creative Assembly released Total War: Warhammer, a game that drew heavily from the Warhammer lore. This game’s success was followed by the release of Total War: Warhammer II in 2017, which continued the story of the Warhammer setting.
Connections and Separations
While Total War and 40k may share a fantasy setting, they are not directly connected. The Total War games are set in the Warhammer world, which is a separate universe from the 40k setting. However, the two universes do share some similarities. Both feature grimdark settings, and both are characterized by brutal conflicts between factions. In Total War, the setting is more fantastical, with magical abilities and mythical creatures, while 40k is rooted in science fiction, with advanced technology and space-faring civilizations.
What’s Next?
With the success of Total War: Warhammer III, fans of the series and the Warhammer universe can expect more games set in this setting. In addition, Creative Assembly has confirmed that they are working on a new Warhammer 40,000 game, which will mark the franchise’s debut in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While this new game is separate from the Total War series, it will undoubtedly bring new storylines and gameplay mechanics to the Warhammer 40,000 setting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Total War and Warhammer 40,000 are separate universes, they share a common bond through the Warhammer world. The Total War games are set in this fantastical setting, which draws inspiration from the Warhammer lore. The connections between the two universes are strong, with both featuring grimdark settings and brutal conflicts between factions. As the franchise continues to grow, fans of both Total War and Warhammer 40,000 can look forward to more games that blend strategy, action, and RPG elements in these rich and immersive worlds.
Important Points
• Shared fantasy setting: Warhammer: Dawn of War and Total War: Warhammer share a fantasy setting inspired by the Warhammer lore.
• Separate universes: Total War and 40k are set in separate universes, with Total War in the Warhammer world and 40k in the grimdark science fiction setting.
• Similarities: Both universes feature grimdark settings, brutal conflicts between factions, and advanced technology.
• Future games: Creative Assembly is working on a new Warhammer 40,000 game, which will mark the franchise’s debut in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Table: Total War Games Set in the Warhammer World
| Game | Release Date | Setting | Gameplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warhammer: Dawn of War | 2004 | Warhammer world | Real-time strategy |
| Warhammer: Mark of Chaos | 2006 | Warhammer world | Real-time strategy |
| Warhammer: Empire | 2006 | Warhammer world | Real-time strategy |
| Total War: Warhammer | 2016 | Warhammer world | Turn-based strategy, real-time battles |
| Total War: Warhammer II | 2017 | Warhammer world | Turn-based strategy, real-time battles |
| Total War: Warhammer III | 2022 | Warhammer world | Turn-based strategy, real-time battles |
Table: Warhammer 40,000 Games
| Game | Release Date | Setting | Gameplay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War | 2004 | Grimdark science fiction | Real-time strategy |
| Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine | 2011 | Grimdark science fiction | Action-adventure |
| Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr | 2018 | Grimdark science fiction | Action-RPG |
Note: The tables are not exhaustive, but they provide an overview of the main games in each series.