Warhammer 40,000, more colloquially known as Warhammer 40k, is one of the most iconic and influential tabletop gaming franchises in the world. Warhammer 40k has grown well beyond its humble beginnings when Games Workshop founded it in 1987 to include a deeply complex and intricate universe filled with epic battles, grimdark lore, and a myriad of factions vying for dominance in a dystopian future. It has also secured its position in tabletop gaming and acted as a muse for many books, video games, and other forms of media that are still enjoyed by many today.
Warhammer 40k Origins
It was created by Games Workshop, a British company that originally started life as a maker of more conventional board games. Having already enjoyed some success with the Warhammer Fantasy Battles game, in 1987, it decided to make an entry into science fiction with Warhammer 40k. Players were thrust into a universe set in the 41st millennium, with humanity clinging very tenuously to its existence on the brink, while the galaxy is heaving under endless war.
Gone were the traditional fantasy elements of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, replaced by more futuristic technologies, space travel, and alien races. The backbone of the game was that players would collect and paint armies of miniature figures to use in waging war against each other on a tabletop battlefield. Each game had a degree of strategy, tactics, and a bit of luck involved, therefore making it complicated and addicting to players.
The Grimdark Universe
The “grimdark” setting is what, by common acclaim, characterizes Warhammer 40k. The term itself has become synonymous with describing this universe as one where hope is few and far between, and survival is a struggle each day. If this sounds quite grim, well, that is because it is supposed to be. Warhammer 40k is summarized quite succinctly by its tagline: “In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.”.
The Imperium of Man is the main faction within the Warhammer 40k universe. It is a large, repressive empire under the rule of the God-Emperor of Mankind. The Emperor, a near-deified figure, has lain interred upon the Golden Throne for more than ten millennia, his life sustained day and night by the sacrifice of many souls. The Imperium is ultra-xenophobic and ultra-authoritarian, suppressing dissent against its rule and other species as a threat to the continuation of humanity.
Warhammer 40k Factions
Chaos Space Marine: Twisted and corrupted versions of the Imperium’s super-soldiers, bound to serve the malignant Chaos Gods in their quest to bring down the Imperium.
Eldar: A dying race of aliens, ancient and having once ruled the galaxy, now fighting for survival following the cataclysmic birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh.
Orks: Brutal, barbaric creatures that live for war and destruction and are usually at war with every other race, simply because of their carnal instincts for the love of battle.
Tyranids: A voracious swarm of alien creatures that devour everything that stands before them, making sure the planet is completely devoid of life to satisfy their insatiable hunger.
Necrons: The Necrons are one of the oldest and most fearsome factions within the Warhammer 40k universe. Once a living race called the Necrontyr, they had been doomed to live short, painful lives. Desperate for immortality, they made a pact with god-like entities known as the C’tan-who only betrayed them by turning them into soulless, robotic beings. Now, the Necrons slumber in ancient tomb worlds, awakening to reclaim the galaxy they once ruled. They have incredibly developed technology, far above the majority of other factions, and their armies are just about indestructible. They are, therefore, a truly fearsome threat in the grimdark universe.
Each of these factions and more contributes to the rich tapestry of the Warhammer 40k universe and helps to add to the never-ending conflict that defines the setting.
Tabletop Gaming
But at its core, Warhammer 40k remains a tabletop miniatures game. Players collect and assemble armies of miniatures, each one representing different units or characters from the Warhammer 40k universe. These miniatures are sometimes immensely detailed, which gives players the chance to bring out their creativity in customizing and painting them to their liking. The actual gameplay consists of bringing those armies onto a tabletop battlefield and playing through, moving your units, and fighting with your opponent.
Over the years, rules for Warhammer 40k have evolved with new editions being released periodically. Most of these updates do introduce new mechanics, units, and factions to this already fresh and engaging game for any new or veteran player. The depth of the game, taken in combination with its expansive universe, makes this a staple in tabletop gaming.
Warhammer 40k in Other Media
First appearing as a tabletop game, Warhammer 40k has branched out into just about every medium imaginable. The rich lore and engaging backdrop of the franchise made it a natural fit for novels, video games, and even animated series.
Since then, hundreds of novels have been written and published under this setting by the Black Library, an imprint of Games Workshop. Most of them delve into the lore to explain the motivations and histories of various factions and characters. Several series exist, one of the most popular being the “Horus Heresy” novels, which detail the events leading up to a civil war within the Imperium.
It has also left its mark on video gaming. Titles like Dawn of War, Space Marine, and Battlefleet Gothic: Armada have taken the franchise to a whole different audience. What these games do is grasp the sense of the tabletop while adding fast-paced action and strategy that video games can provide. Ongoing development with Warhammer 40,000: Darktide and Space Marine 2 continues pushing the franchise into new and exciting territories.
The Influence of Warhammer 40k
The influence of Warhammer 40k extends outside that of its direct fanbase. It has irreversibly swept through the world of gaming and popular culture. The post-apocalyptic feel of grimdark has captured the imagination of other creators, while its tabletop model has served as somewhat of a blueprint for other miniature-based games in existence. The community of Warhammer 40k is unbelievably passionate, with hobbyists dedicating untold hours to painting miniatures, debating lore, and competing in tournaments.
The franchise has also drawn a brotherhood of players. Shared experiences of building armies, painting miniatures, and strategies on the battlefield forged this small world of people together. Events such as conventions are held all over the world so that fans can get together to celebrate Warhammer 40k.
Conclusion
Warhammer 40k is more than a game; it’s a cultural phenomenon. From its humble origins as a tabletop game to the sprawling novels, video games, and more that have sprung from it, Warhammer 40k has gone on to capture the imaginations of millions with deep lore and engrossing gameplay. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran or fresh-faced neophyte, there can be little doubt as to the impact Warhammer 40k has wrought upon the world of gaming and pop culture alike. Warhammer 40k will continue to be prominent in the grim darkness of the far future, steadily drawing in newer and newer fans and continuing to flesh out its universe well into the foreseeable future.
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