Warhammer games have been a cornerstone of the gaming community, captivating players with their richly detailed worlds and intense strategic gameplay. However, not all projects see the light of day. Recently, a much-anticipated Warhammer game based on the Age of Sigmar universe was cancelled.
Here’s a deep dive into this ill-fated project as based on what the gaming studio Thought Pennies, revealed to Eurogamer.
In 2021, Games Workshop partnered with Nexon to create a groundbreaking new Warhammer RPG. This ambitious project promised a player-versus-environment (PvE) social multiplayer experience that would span PC, consoles, and mobile platforms. The game was set in the grim and perilous world of Age of Sigmar, where players would command war hosts of the God-King Sigmar against the relentless forces of the Chaos Gods.
Development was helmed by the fresh yet talented studio Thought Pennies. Nexon, known for its expertise in live operations and sustaining player engagement, provided a solid foundation for the game’s ongoing development. The collaboration seemed promising, with both parties eager to bring a dynamic and immersive Warhammer experience to life.
The game was envisioned as a narrative-rich RPG where players could customize their characters, forge alliances, and embark on epic quests. Each season, new realms and characters were to be introduced, offering players a steady stream of fresh content and stories. The ultimate goal: to reignite hope and restore order to the despoiled Mortal Realms.
Behind the Scenes
Despite the promising vision, all was not well behind the scenes. In late 2024, Nexon made a strategic decision to shift its focus, leading to the termination of the Age of Sigmar RPG project.
This decision was not taken lightly and resulted in significant layoffs at Thought Pennies. Nexon cited a strategic change as the reason behind this abrupt shift, and although the partnership had initially shown great promise, it ultimately could not withstand the new direction.
The cancellation of the Age of Sigmar RPG left many fans and developers heartbroken2. However, the world of Warhammer remains vibrant and ever-expanding. Games Workshop continues to explore new opportunities to bring their iconic universe to players worldwide.
As one door closes, another opens, and the dedication to Warhammer’s legacy endures.
Warhammer enthusiasts can still find solace in other titles such as Realms of Ruin, a real-time strategy game from Planet Coaster studio Frontier Developments, and Storm Ground, a turn-based strategy roguelike from Focus Entertainment. The age of Warhammer is far from over, and who knows what new adventures await in the Mortal Realms?
The cancelled Warhammer: Age of Sigmar RPG is a testament to the ever-changing and unpredictable nature of game development. While the project may never see the light of day, the passion and creativity that fueled its conception continue to inspire new ventures in the gaming world.
For fans and developers alike, the journey through the Warhammer universe is bound to be full of twists, turns, and endless possibilities.