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THQ arming Warhammer 40K shooter?

Source: See below.

What we heard: Games Workshop's Warhammer license has been getting a lot of love from gamemakers in recent years. From the fantasy label, Namco Bandai just this week pushed out Warhammer: Mark of Chaos - Battle March, a sequel to the 2006 fantasy real-time strategy game, and Mythic Entertainment is poised to launch its long-in-development massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, later this month.

THQ has been no slouch on capitalizing on its Warhammer 40K sci-fi license, which it has held the exclusive rights to since 2001. Most recently, the publisher has contracted esteemed developer Relic Entertainment to create the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War line of RTS titles. THQ is also financing a MMOG set in the far-future sci-fi universe, which is in development at Vigil Games.

It now appears as if THQ also has a mind to take its Warhammer 40K universe back to the ever-popular shooter space. Last night, a video appeared online purporting to be leaked in-game footage of THQ's as yet unannounced third-person shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. The video, which offers nearly nine and a half minutes of early-in-development in-game footage, depicts a lone-wolf space marine serving the Imperium as he gruesomely dispatches a host of Chaos servants.

The high production values of the video notwithstanding, the most convincing evidence that the leaked footage is a product of THQ is the overlaid developer commentary. The disembodied voice accompanies the entirety of the footage, explaining the development team's motivations for including certain features, such as the epic, gothic art style, as well as providing a backdrop of work-in-progress gameplay details.

"In our version of the game, it's really about an up-close, personal, visceral melee experience," describes the commentator of the action. "We have range combat in the game, and it's fun and important, but properly used, it's really a means to end in order to get up close to the enemy, where the player has a tactical advantage. We call this intimate brutality."

Though the game is rumored to be in development for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, the clip begins only with the logo for Microsoft's console.

The official story: THQ had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bogus or not bogus?: The Internet is a hotbed for elaborate hoaxes, but this video is looking awfully un-bogus. Whether or not THQ will green-light the project is yet to be seen, however.

155 Comments

  • yukikaze8721

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 9:29 pm PT

    *prays that this game will come out on PC as well*

  • marshal_lai

    Posted Oct 24, 2008 6:05 pm PT

    Shame it's another vanilla marine chapter this time. Why must it always be the Ultras?!?? And the bolter is like too weak... It should have blasted the cultist to bits at point blank range...

  • seeker727

    Posted Oct 23, 2008 1:24 pm PT

    To all of the people asking why the marine is alone anyway, if any of you have read a novel from dan abnett, you should know because there is only a thousand marines in each army, it is fairly common that they may split into pairs or solo, if the mission requires it. It isnt rare to see a lone Marine.By the way alot of the comments ive read seem like its coming out recently. Remember that this is VERY early in development so what is the point posting comments like: "well yeah it looks ok, needs work". Well obviously if its early in development

  • IndexAstari

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 5:43 am PT

    I hope they focus on the Online play too, perhaps make character customization options with diffrent armour (like in Halo 3) and races.

  • regettie

    Posted Oct 16, 2008 12:31 am PT

    The fact it is focus on a lone Adeptus Astartes makes
    its better then fire warrior instantly.
    The Bolt Gun isn't quite accurate to it's scale, the mag is to close to the barrel and it is supost to fire in 4 round bursts not full auto. And give him some Purity seals and Terminator Honours for peat's sake.

  • Srax_Zolak

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    I can't wait to see if they put Co-op and Multiplayer into this. Not to mention smoothening out the animations as at times it looked like they were walking on air.

  • DinAmar

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 12:18 pm PT

    This can't be worse than Fire Warrior...

  • Silver_Dragon88

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 7:24 am PT

    Awesome looking game but the bolter looks useless in the video. Since this is just a first mod tho I would think that we will see it get progressively better. Hopefully this is not just a bogus rumor

  • bomm169

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 6:16 am PT

    Come to think of it I wonder who will write the story; Dan Abnett- Beloved by All has written some of the most brilliant 40k novels. I could see some of his combat descriptions working beautifully with this kind of game. Not to mention that he could boost the typically average quality of GW game plots; Dawn of War, Fire Warrior, Squad Command but to name a few.

  • bomm169

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 5:43 am PT

    FINALLY...
    Shame they had to preview the noble Astartes smiting YET ANOTHER horde of Chaos (Word Bearer flavour, naturally). Wouldn’t it be nice to see them splatting some of the other vile xeno enemies of the Imperium for a change otherwise it is going to end up with a similar plot to Fire Warrior- minus the Tau.

    Aside from that it still looks nice, shame about the bolter but looks like it cant be helped seeing as the game's focus is melee and the humble bolter could normally turn an un-armoured opponent to mist in a single shot.

  • GonzoGuy

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 8:45 am PT

    Well. That does look way better than Fire Warrior.

    As long as they don't mar the game with Quick Time Events (especially over those cool finishing cinematics), I'm on board.

    QTEs lately are a good way to make sure I skip a game. I just think they're a testament to the laziness that goes into the rest of a game with that gimmick.

  • SRTBASH

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 5:34 pm PT

    Why is that marine alone anyway? He doesn't look special. And also thats a bolter, not bolt pistol.

  • raze-boi

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 7:46 am PT

    I always want this game to come out, and now it does.

  • GangaWolf

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 5:14 am PT

    Hmmmm...3rd person shooter. I'm betting it will be something along the lines of Gears of War set in the WH:40K Universe. Sounds good to me!

  • Tutahi0

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 1:20 am PT

    Dis will be an AWSUM game ....... but wat ill like tu see is u get tu be ANY of the races in tha 40k universe not juss a space marine........but OH WELL

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 12:38 am PT

    all I can say is that Games Workshop has done a good job ensuring that their licensed products don't suffer like movie franchises when going video game.

  • nobeaner

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:45 pm PT

    I agree with EchoEcho. A lone space marine shooter just does not fit well with the universe. This definitely needs to be a squad based game of some sort. I just can't buy finishing moves without someone watching your back. Especially since your facing multiple threats at once.

    As far as being a rip off of GoW, I'm cool with it. As long as they use that extensive back history that is part of the WH40k universe to include something other than just Chaos Marines.

  • Stephen361984

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:43 pm PT

    I like the idea of playing as a space marine. They have the best toys, the coolest armor, and it'll be far more believable taking a ton of damage from lasguns and bolters and chainswords and power axes and whatever else they can come up with. They just have to pick a Chapter to base it all around. They could go with an estabilished chapter and go with the "Cool i get to play as a ......." feeling or they could make up a chapter and make up a back story to fit the circumstances

  • Pickles14

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:26 pm PT

    i think mr hicks right
    the imp guard would add some more emotion to the gameplay
    dosent stop you from using the space marines on online gameplay
    I think the online should be like battlefield/battlefront
    like battlefield 1924 or 2142 where you customise your guy's weapons (armor would be cool too) but with the smaller type battlefront maps that bring faster action and space fights that be hawsum

  • aupipboy

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 2:55 pm PT

    Actualy Hick is on to something there.
    Imperial Guard would be great. All the equipment and the squad based system....just imagine a full squad of space marines crashing through a wall at a pivotal moment in the story to save your butt. But then again a squad of Guards against 2 or more Chaos marines would be a game killer....still, the game looks good (if it is not just a GOW2 mod thing).

  • EchoEcho

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 10:49 am PT

    As much as I look forward to any game set in the WH40k universe (this one included), I do have to wonder at the "lone warrior" approach, or even the Space Marine one.

    Personally, I think a squad-based shooter (third person or first) would be much more interesting, either as SM's or Imperial Guard. IG certainly have that more "human" aspect, which is important for connecting with the player on an emotional level. SM's could still be featured in the game, but make them allies during some of the missions, not the main focus. A squad of elite Cadian Kasrkin veterans are just about as deadly as SM's anyway, so they'd easily fulfill that "badass" requirement.

    On another note entirely, I'd like to see a Mass Effect-style game set in this universe, following an Inquisitor and his retinue. I've been reading the Eisenhorn omnibus, and I can't help but notice just how well it'd fit that gameplay style.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 9:52 am PT

    im also curious will we get to use more than just bolt pistol n chain sword?? they loose there shock n aw after a while..bring on the lightning claws!

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 9:49 am PT

    ok hick they tried to make a 40k shooter out of a more flexible and personality oriented army namely the tau. its sucks a load of crap, dont every buy it (for the whole $9.00 CA its worth now). so i say think outside the box of a personalitied character. tbh though i gotta see them fix those controls the player looked half lost as to what to do. finally make the gun do sumthing. we dont want another bullet witch!!!

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 9:29 am PT

    Neet

  • Hicks_1

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 8:56 am PT

    Space marines are too robotic, a good fps will bring emotions and make the game and the grudge between the player the end boss personal. Try Imperial Guard THQ

  • Skyblue69

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 8:48 am PT

    I'm not a Warhammer fanboy but this definately looks promising. Combat looks way more varied than Gears as the combat is in your face as opposed to the cover system found in Gears and I like the visuals, fantastic sense of depth/immersion.

    For a rough leaked demo which isn't even an announced title yet, I think it's looking awesome so far.

  • calanorn

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 6:06 am PT

    i was hoping for something a bit like graw but on a grander scale or full spectrum warrior with marines etc

  • calanorn

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 6:06 am PT

    i was hoping for something a bit like graw but on a grander scale or full spectrum warrior with marines etc

  • Wej_accept_it

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 5:09 am PT

    Just please, be better then FireWarrior, biggest let down that was.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 4:08 am PT

    yup, looks very very "un-bogus", good thing they had that video

    I myself thought they should do a Space Marine 3rd person shooter that looked and played like Gears of War, though I was hoping for more of a shooter and not so much of a mix-match of run-of-the-mill shooter and melee. Though, the game does look great. I especially like how I can tell they're trying to please WH40K fans, which I could tell in the first action sequence when the Space Marines towered over the other guys all roided out like they're supposed to be. I'm also disappointed I'm seeing more 1 guy against everybody kind of gameplay, and I would have expected more of a small squad to large Army kind of gameplay. Though, maybe the development is still in the early stages since it's still kind of a rumor.

    Besides wanting more of a squad type environment, I'm hoping we also get to try the other types of WH40K characters and scenerios out. Either by switching weapons or maybe hopping in the shoes of other characters like one does in a COD game. It'd be nice to use a bolt gun or flame thrower or rocket launcher, or even take the suit of a terminator or control WH40K Space Marine mechanized armor. Anyhow, like they said in the video, it's their first build, so we'll probably see a lot more improvementssome . Since it's not a shooter I guess a cover system isn't necessary, but I'd least like to see a more intimate shooting perspective some 3rd person shooters are now doing with the over the shoulder aiming camera.

    Anyhow, I feel confident a final game will be great (or at least a great attempt) considering it's looking this good so early in its stages of production. I hope we get to see a lot more as this game progresses.

  • Va1eZ

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 1:19 am PT

    please be real, and if not, THQ please make it real.

  • TurambarGS

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 12:56 am PT

    Looks solid, reminds me a bit of GoW - a bit at least. I don't think it's bogus - not with those production values.

  • Sammojo

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 11:30 pm PT

    Graphics seem alright, looks like it's using an Unreal engine, the same as Gears of War. Who is developing this though? It looks like it's just a mod for Gears of War and doesn't really appear to have any depth. Walking around killing hundreds of chaos marines as one space marine - ridiculous and shallow, not to mention the fact that it'll get boring after the first ten kills. They need some sort of variety if it's just a hack 'n' slash. The "actionmatic" scenes or whatever they called them are lame and just ruin the combat. They should leave the camera angle the same. Whoever is developing this, please don't make another rubbish non-RTS 40k game, that universe deserves better *cough* Fire warrior *cough*. I hope a lot changes from this 'first' build.

  • trenno2529

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 11:29 pm PT

    wow. that would be a cool game. if they got it right...

  • Juggernaut140

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 8:42 pm PT

    It's not even a shooter. It's a freakin hack n slash game that looks like garbage. That's saying something because I love W40K

  • LordOwnage

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 8:39 pm PT

    By the way even the skull insignia is a warhammer 40k thing. Gears of war took a lot of things from warhammer. Not hating on gears. I love that damn game. I would like to see this game made. Hopefully this is alpha of pre-alpha cause it looks nice, but needs a lot of work.

  • LordOwnage

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 8:33 pm PT

    Gears of war totally copied the look of warhammer 40k. So why not copy some the the game play aspects of Gears of war. This game has to happen. It's to perfect. Even if this is not real, THQ should make it real.

  • MetalMan300

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 7:30 pm PT

    Please be real, pleasepleaseplease!

  • Vuud

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 7:24 pm PT

    One word: sweet!
    40k wishlist: Space Hulk2 remake, Chaos Gate remake.

  • SRTBASH

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    Total Awesomeness!!! They have to make this game good. Also the Marine was definitely an Ultramarine, not Space Wolf.

  • Mikery15

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 6:58 pm PT

    Well, I don't know much about the 40k universe, but that red skull which resembles the Gears of War logo has me thinking. I never said they copied Gears of War, just that the styles looked very similar.

  • Stealth-S-117

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 5:18 pm PT

    * stares at screen in astonishment * Yeah! Warhammer 40k shooter! This is gonna be awesome.

  • aupipboy

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 5:01 pm PT

    SciFiCat...

    The fan base are a pack of marauding fanatics who will rip you a new one if you do not do justice to the product. That is why Warhammer Online and Dawn of War took so long to make...the developers needed to be very careful with the end product.

    Making a game on this subject matter is a very risky business. Think of it in terms of Lord of The Rings. There have been no movies till Peter Jackson made his version. Well, there were a couple of animated movies, but there were no good and were canned by the fan base.....they were ripped a new on as it were.

    So there you go. It is a universe that has a cult following. I would love to see more stuff based in 40k my self.

  • Starshootr

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 4:59 pm PT

    It looks great, but something tells me they're going to spend more time developing the scenery and finishing moves, than actually working on controls and gameplay.
    Then again, that's just a First Look opinion...

  • Savage_Jason

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 4:55 pm PT

    Mikery15

    This definitely has absolutely nothing to do with Gears, the 40K license predates Gears by many, many years. Whether or not they're taking cues from Gears, that's another thing entirely.

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 4:46 pm PT

    Mikery15 - The chain sword is 100% 40k, nobody would try to rip that off. And I don't see how people think Gears when they look at this video. Could be that Gears ripped a lot of things from the 40k lore like the Gothic setting.

  • Sheiko

    Posted Sep 7, 2008 4:37 pm PT

    Looked real good. Hopefully they got the story to back it up. Maybe different races to play as in the form of expansions.