Report States – Unannounced Warhammer RPG Cancelled Late Last Year

Warhammer fans received a blow recently when reports revealed that an unannounced Warhammer RPG was quietly cancelled toward the end of last year. Developed by the studio Thought Pennies, this project had the potential to bring a unique co-op action RPG experience to the Warhammer universe. However, the studio’s publisher shifted strategic direction, leaving the game without funding and ultimately leading to its demise.

What We Know About the Cancelled Warhammer RPG

According to a report by MP1st, Thought Pennies—a studio known for its focus on social storytelling in RPGs—had been working on an unannounced Warhammer title for three years. Former employees revealed details of the project on their LinkedIn profiles, describing it as a third-person co-op PvE action RPG with melee and ranged combat, monstrous enemies, and a dark fantasy setting.

The game, built using Unreal Engine 5, was designed to include:

• A cast of unique heroes with varied playstyles.
• Melee and ranged combat, offering diverse gameplay options.
• A dark fantasy world populated by monstrous enemies.

While specific plot details remain under wraps, the concept of a live-service RPG in the Warhammer universe was enough to intrigue fans. Unfortunately, despite the progress made, the game was cancelled due to the publisher’s decision to redirect funding away from the project.

The Fallout for Thought Pennies

Thought Pennies, which had grown to nearly 60 employees over three years, was hit hard by the cancellation. Daniel Erickson, the studio’s Chief Creative Officer, shared his disappointment on social media:

“Over the last three years at Thought Pennies we built something amazing. We never missed a milestone, our feedback was great, our partnerships strong. […] Our publisher changed strategic direction, however, and our previous project is now without funding.”

This shift in funding forced the studio to downsize significantly, leaving its talented team and its ambitious project in limbo. Erickson’s post highlights the heartbreaking reality of game development, where even promising projects can be shelved due to business decisions.

Why This Loss Hits Hard

For Warhammer fans, the cancellation of a live-service co-op RPG represents a missed opportunity to explore the universe in an exciting new way. The blend of social storytelling, diverse heroes, and action-packed combat had the potential to appeal to both hardcore fans and newcomers.

Adding to the disappointment is the fact that Warhammer games have been enjoying a resurgence, with titles like Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 generating significant buzz. The cancelled RPG could have capitalized on this momentum, introducing a fresh gameplay experience to the franchise’s growing audience.

Games Workshop’s Future Plans

Despite this setback, Games Workshop has expressed a strong commitment to expanding the Warhammer franchise across various media. CEO Kevin Rountree recently emphasized the company’s cautious yet determined approach to finding “the next one”:

“We recognize that successes like these for Warhammer are not a given in the world of video games. Clearly we are looking for the next one.”

This cautious optimism reflects a broader effort to diversify the franchise, which now extends beyond games. In December, Games Workshop finalized plans with Amazon Studios to bring Warhammer 40K to film and television. This multimedia expansion shows that while the cancelled RPG is a disappointment, the Warhammer brand continues to grow.

What Could Have Been

The cancelled Warhammer RPG would have stood out as a fresh addition to the franchise, offering:

• Co-op gameplay, fosters collaboration among players.
• Live-service elements, potentially creating a dynamic and evolving game world.
• A focus on social storytelling, aligning with Thought Pennies’ strengths as a studio.

It’s not every day that a Warhammer game leans so heavily into these features, making this project a unique loss for the gaming community.