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Creative Assembly’s “new era” tease is no longer a mystery. At its December 4, 2025, 25th-anniversary showcase, the studio announced Total War: MEDIEVAL III, a new engine foundation called Warcore and a Total War: WARHAMMER III content pack. The separate major-title reveal it had scheduled for The Game Awards later became Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. The announcements span historical strategy, fantasy and science fantasy—but they do not all have the same release-date certainty.
What did Total War announce for its 25th anniversary?
The anniversary celebrations marked 25 years since Total War: SHOGUN began the franchise in 2000. SEGA announced the anniversary program in 2025, setting up a December showcase. In June, Total War Vice President Roger Collum described the year as “an exciting new era for the franchise as we reveal what’s next for Total War, and we can’t wait to celebrate throughout the year with everyone.” The December event supplied the first major part of that answer.
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Creative Assembly’s December 4 showcase included three announcements: Total War: MEDIEVAL III, the Warcore engine foundation, and the planned Lords of the End Times pack for Total War: WARHAMMER III. The studio also said a separate major-title reveal was coming at The Game Awards. That later reveal was Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000.
SEGA reported that the franchise had sold more than 48.3 million copies in 2025. That is the publisher’s figure, published December 5, 2025—not an independently audited sales total.
#1 Best Overall
- The first book of its kind, this Ultimate Guide goes into unparalleled detail on the miniatures and lore of Warhammer 40,000 and is sure to delight long-time fans and newcomers alike.
- Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of beautifully shot photographs of Warhammer 40,000 miniatures that showcase fine details and intricate designs across each faction, from the mighty Space Marines to the ravenous Tyranids, foul Chaos Daemons, deathless Necrons – and more.
- Written by Guy Haley and Gav Thorpe – these prolific Black Library authors who are household names of Warhammer fandom walk you through this world with richly detailed descriptions and insights into the lore.
- Packed with insight into the game’s defining miniatures, Warhammer 40,000: The Ultimate Guide goes deep into the Warhammer 40,000 universe like never before.
What is Total War: MEDIEVAL III?
MEDIEVAL III is a new historical strategy game, but it was at a very early stage when announced. Creative Assembly said on December 4, 2025, that it was in pre-production and still years from release; the announcement gave no release date.
The studio described its intended direction as a medieval strategy sandbox combining grand strategy with tactical real-time battles. It also spoke of player-directed realm building and reimagining history. Those are the developer’s stated ambitions, not a confirmed feature list or a demonstration of finished gameplay.
Rank #2
- A paints and tools set for Warhammer 40,000
- Assemble, prepare, and paint your Warhammer miniatures
- Includes a great selection of colours that can be used for any army
- The core of your Warhammer hobby essentials in one box
What is Warcore, and does it mean Total War is coming to consoles?
Warcore is Creative Assembly’s announced engine foundation for future major Total War releases. The studio said the technology opens the door for future games on PlayStation and Xbox, while emphasizing that PC remains central to its design approach.
That is not a promise that every future Total War game will launch on consoles. The announcement describes a capability for future titles; platform plans still need to be confirmed game by game.
Rank #3
- Warhammer 40,000
What is Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000?
The major title teased for The Game Awards was Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000, a new chapter in the franchise developed in collaboration with Games Workshop. In a September 17, 2026, post, Creative Assembly named PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S as platforms and said it was not sharing a release date at that time. No launch window is established by that announcement.
What was announced for Total War: WARHAMMER III?
The 2025 showcase announced Lords of the End Times, a planned content pack for the existing Total War: WARHAMMER III. Creative Assembly said it would bring four Legendary Lords to the game in summer 2026, alongside a free End Times update.
Rank #4
- Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine. Unleash deadly abilities and devastating weaponry to obliterate the relentless Tyranid swarms. Defend the Imperium in spectacular third-person action in solo or co-op modes.
- Purge the relentless Tyranid swarms as legendary Space Marine Titus in a spectacular new campaign. Play solo or with up to 2 friends in 3 player co-op.
- Enjoy intense, gory and fast-paced third-person action with hundreds of enemies on screen, from the creators of blockbuster co-op shooter World War Z.
- Standard edition includes: Base game, Macragge’s Chosen DLC, with 3 unique cosmetics for your Bolt Rifle, Chainsword & Power Armour
That was the plan stated at the time of the 2025 announcement. It does not, by itself, confirm whether the pack or update shipped as scheduled, or establish their current contents.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do the announced projects compare?
| Project | Setting and type | Status or timing established by the cited announcement | Platforms established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total War: MEDIEVAL III | Medieval history; a strategy sandbox described by the developer | In pre-production and years from release when announced on December 4, 2025; no release date stated. | Not stated in the December 4, 2025 announcement. |
| Warcore | Engine foundation for future major Total War games | Announced December 4, 2025; no release date applies to the engine announcement. | Creative Assembly said it opens the door for future PlayStation and Xbox titles; this is not a title-by-title platform commitment. |
| Total War: WARHAMMER III – Lords of the End Times | Warhammer fantasy; planned content pack and free update for WARHAMMER III | Announced for summer 2026; the announcement does not confirm current shipping status. | Not stated in the cited 2025 announcement. |
| Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 | Warhammer 40,000 science fantasy; new game | Named at The Game Awards; Creative Assembly’s September 17, 2026 post gave no release date. | PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, according to Creative Assembly’s September 17, 2026 post. |
The clearest distinction is between what each announcement actually establishes: an early development stage for MEDIEVAL III, a future-facing engine capability in Warcore, a dated content plan for WARHAMMER III, and named platforms—but no release date—for WARHAMMER 40,000.
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