Hey everyone!
It’s been a wild ride since the release of Dawn of War III – a game we loved making and are so glad to finally have in your hands. We’re thrilled to put out a new installment after an eight-year hiatus, we’re proud of the innovations we’ve made within the genre, and we think the game is full of potential.
But…we’re humans who have the internet. We know there are lots of you who don’t feel the same way. That matters. We make these games for you, and we need you in order to keep making games. So, let’s talk about where we go from here.
Dawn of War III was meant to reunite our Dawn of War and Dawn of War II fans with a bombastic, action-RTS packed with incredible heroes, giant space lasers, and whole, new planets made of things that go BOOM. While we’ve checked those boxes, it’s clear that those weren’t the only things that you were looking for. So, what now?
It started at launch by keeping our eyes and ears open. We spend a LOT of time on the forums, and just as much looking through the data on what you’re playing, and what you’re not. We’re using that to plot out our next steps and are hoping to share plans with you soon, and get you involved in how we bring them to life. But that takes time.
So, what happens in the short term? Great question…
To start, we’re going back to our roots with new multiplayer modes that challenge you to wipe out every last Waaagh Tower and Webway Gate to earn that victory screen. Get ready for Annihilation Mode. Wait, make that: Annihilation MODES.
Dawn of War I fans will feel right at home in Annihilation Classic. To win, you’ll need to destroy the core structures of your opponent. It’s tough, but we’ve added a couple tools to help you out: new doctrines that will let you build faction-specific turrets throughout the map.
Want a headstart? Load up Annihilation with Defenses to kick off the match with several of these turrets already installed throughout the map, buying you more time to build up your army. Both modes will be available in Custom Match for 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3.
We’ll be releasing a video on later this week with more information, and debuting the mode live on Twitch at 10AM PST on Friday, June 16th. Keep your eyes peeled!
And those fancy new turrets? You won’t need to hand in your hard-earned Skulls for them. We’ll release them unlocked, for all players, for use across all multiplayer modes. Turtlers rejoice! You’ll have new defensive strategies to play with, and against, in no time. Here’s your first look at one of them in action!
The turret doctrines won’t be available in campaign mode, but it is something we’re going to take a look at. No promises, but we’ll see what’s possible and get back to you.
All existing multiplayer maps have been retrofitted to play host to Annihilation showdowns, but we’re happy to share a brand new Mortis Vale map – a fresh battlefield to burn to the ground! We’ll share a closer look at Mortis Vale next week, but here’s just a taste of what to expect. And yes, these maps will be equally available to load up in Power Core!
We’re sneaking one more treat in for you. Get ready to bring glory to the battlefield with the free Engines of Annihilation skin pack! Send out your super walkers in style with the House Raven skin for the Imperial Knight Paladin, the Exalted skin for the Wraithknight, and the Deathskulls skin for the Gorkanaut. We hope you like them!
This will all go live in our Annihilation Update on Tuesday, June 20th.
We know this is just a start, but it’s an important one. And it helps us say thanks to each and every one of you for playing, posting, and yes – even some of the yelling. It hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.
We’ll start with the Annihilation Update, we’ll keep listening, and together, we’ll keep moving forward.
For the Emperor!
Comments
Demicore
A step in the right direction
Will the update contain some balancing?
MrBenis
This is good. I like this.
Please take some time to talk to your guys about looking at the existing doctrines for the next balance patch as Eldar need some help and our doctrines do very little for us.
Otherwise, turrets look interesting, hopefully they won't be OP.
Asuryan
Hell yeah! Awesome news to hear! Can't wait to jump in straight in action. It's so good that you've listened to the community and I hope that together we can make this game greater than ever before!
Don_Zauser
So no balance changes?
Asuryan
Probably they'll release something with patch itself.
Asuryan
Btw. It's actually very nice to see that not only main elites such as Gabe, Taldeer and Beauty are going to get skins, but Paladin, Wraithknight and Gorkanaut!
PS. Sorry for double.
Northanui
Those skins look insanely cool. And annihilation will bring players. Good job guys.
Megiddo
Annihilation modes, buildable defenses... Those are great additions, Thanks !
Keep up the good work guys
Ivaresh
Really good news. Keep the good work, i think this is the right direction to take.
AngelofDeth
Nicely done relic. I knew it that this game will become more interesting to play in the future. Keep up the good work!
Bitterman
Hopefully this means we will see more custom games in the browser now! Would like matchmaking to have annihilation as well.
OriGinS
PogChamp thank you Relic!
Gosu
@Kat_RE You are doing really good job.
frumpylumps
Very Disappointing update.
Was really hoping to hear about a fix to the game breaking bugs, the double generator exploit bug, the Wah tower bug and Drop pod 100 req reimburse bug. I don't even want to play with bugs like this in the game.
This update is all about damage control for the larger demographic. Instead of addressing the issues the DoW3 community is facing, it is trying to appease much of that conservative demographic that Relic lost who were adamantly resistant to any changes, even when they improved the gameplay.
LeemanRuss
ANNIHILATION.....NEW MAP: MORTIS VALE....TURRETS....free skins ....TY Relic ur in the right direction to satisfy many dow fans step by step into greatness
ty VERY MUCH RELIC
OriGinS
Cut them some slack, they might be fixing these bugs and doing some balance along with this update, and if not, I'm sure they will address these problems sooner or later. I can't promise that, but more content is never a bad thing.
Renner
Yay, my fave mode of all in their games. We had annihilation in some way already, but this is a real thing. No one asked about VP mode yet, haha.
Kat_RE
@Don_Zauser We have tentative plans to do an adjustment in July, and are looking at ways to test balance changes with you before they go live.
Draconix
I'm glad that this game will get some new content, though I wanted actually a new faction. Oh well
Still I'm suprised to see Annihilation. To be honest I like Annihilation, but actually I don't bother with MOBA-like Power Core, because as some rightly noticed, it is a basically Annihilation with objectives, also would prefer that more than Victory Points. Victory Points alone is okay for me, but I find Power Core interesting too. But adding a normal Annihilation might satisfy those who don't like Power Core like Gollo for example.
As for the rest. Nice to see faction-specific turrets again, but interesting they are associated with doctrine system. New map also nice. Skin pack...... well skins and cosmetics doesn't interest me much, because I prefer gameplay content. In this game's case it might be new doctrines, maps, game modes, elites, and even factions especially. As for gamebraking bugs, I too hope that they fixed especially double generator exploit, but hey if not in the upcoming patch, then maybe later.
By the way how double generator exploit, Wah tower bug and Drop pod bug works? I can wait until they are fixed, but I need to understand how they are work to avoid them if I would buy this game at current state.
Murador
@Kat_RE that's definiately a good start
. Do u plan to implement the new mods into the ladder? Will there also be a (hopefully) small balance update, especially giving eldar some of the early map presesence back: Eldar player got quite rare and frustrated(I'm not even maining eldar). Would be appreciated!
MaxwellsDaemon
@Kat_RE
Awesome- thanks for backing and forthing with us on these things.
Look forward to balance changes most of all.
Kat_RE
@frumpylumps We've identified and fixed the cause of the issue with the WAAAGH Towers, and we'll be rolling out the fix in next week's update to get you back to lootin' and scrappin' in no time!
As for the double generator issue, we've commented about it here - but the short answer is that we've identified one of the causes, but not all of them. We're holding off on patching this in until we've verified a comprehensive fix.
halla4763
how about improve the UI? its very bad this game. ONE example: I can't select all squads of a type by double clicking. is there a way to get a partial refund?30 dollars back would make me happy.
Murador
@Kat_RE so there are no small balance changes planned until july
?
2Sk3TCHY
@Kat_RE
Man, I'm drooling.
Spooky
Will Annihilation be compatible with maps currently in the Workshop, or more specifically, as a creator will I have to modify my map in order to play it with the new game mode?
Creature
Thanks for the update. I was previously ambivalent toward the idea of an annihilation mode, as I imagined it would just be like the standard mode but minus objectives, but the inclusion of buildable turrets should make the mode different enough to be worth playing occasionally. I would perhaps even be willing to see it included in the ranked auto-match if it's balanced enough.
How many players is this new map for? I'd really like to see a new 2v2 map...
Chriskovo
So when are you going to fix it so Space marines don't die in seconds? Nerf the elite things so that they are powerful but not as overwhelming as now that make all regular units useless? Readd sync kills and bring back the fun and cinematic battles that DOW1 had? This is just a band aid over a bolter round to the chest.
It is a step in the right direction though.
Maybe hire some people from that ultimate apocalypse mod. They added a lot of cool stuff to dow1, maybe a little to much.
Kat_RE
Double clicking on the unit - instead of the portrait - will select all units of that type.
Kat_RE
@Spooky You'll be able to build new maps for Annihilation, but you'll need to take an extra couple of steps to set it up. We're pulling together those instructions for you and should have it all ready on our wiki for the mode's release next week!