The Iron Lords were live at the Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles. During the event, our very own Lord Cognito sat down with Juan Martinez, the Executive Producer of Warhammer 40k Darktide, to give fans an up-close look at the game’s upcoming massive update, along with how the game evolved over time.
What is Warhammer 40k Darktide?
For those who are unaware, Warhammer 40k: Dark Tide is a four-player co-op shooter set in the gritty Warhammer 40k universe. The core of Darktide is its emphasis on tactical teamwork and brutal melee combat, where sticking with your squad not only ensures survival but also unlocks gameplay bonuses. Players are encouraged to collaborate closely as they fight through hordes of chaos, with consequences for those who stray too far.
New Class Unveiled – The Arbites
Launching on June 23rd is an exciting new character class, the Arbites—a heavily armored enforcer armed with a shotgun, shield, and a loyal cyber mastiff. This “big boy” character not only brings a unique loadout but also introduces the game’s first pet companion. The cyber mastiff can be customized through an intricate skill tree, respond to direct commands, and target enemies dynamically, adding strategic depth to combat.
Since its 2023 overhaul, Darktide has featured an expansive RPG-style skill system with over 80 nodes. This allows players to personalize their playstyles by mixing and matching skills, reverting choices as needed, and even saving multiple loadouts. The loadout system extends to weapons and cosmetics, enabling seamless switching before missions.
The game also delivers a unified experience with full cross-play and simultaneous content updates across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Microsoft Store. This ensures players across all platforms access the same features and updates without delay.
A More Structured Storyline/Mission System in Warhammer 40k Darktide
For those seeking more narrative immersion, the June 23rd update expands the story with a structured campaign, post-mission debriefings, and new cinematics. Best of all, the update is free for all current players.
Finally, Darktide’s developers take pride in optimizing performance across systems, using Xbox Series S hardware limitations as a benchmark. Through these refinements, the game continues to thrive as a top-tier cooperative shooter blending immersive storytelling, rich customization, and seamless cross-platform play.
The Arbites class and massive new update will be available on June 23. Check out the full patch notes right here.
