Darktide's Narrative to Expand with Future Updates, Promises Fatshark

Fatshark has confirmed that the narrative of Darktide will be continuously expanded through future game updates. This follows the introduction of a campaign mode in 'The Battle for Tertium' update, which offered guided missions, voiceovers, cutscenes, and unique enemy spawns. The developers aim to build the story piece by piece, acknowledging the challenges of integrating narrative into a co-op game and the need to create new lore for the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Unlike the Vermintide series, which drew heavily from existing Warhammer Fantasy lore, Darktide required the creation of an entirely new world, Tertium, presenting unique design challenges and opportunities for the development team.

With the release of Darktide's Arbites Class DLC, a significant free update titled 'The Battle for Tertium' was also launched. This update finally introduced a campaign mode, addressing a common player request. No longer confined to repetitive mission grinding, players could now embark on story-driven missions enriched with dedicated voice acting, cinematic sequences, and distinct enemy encounters, creating a more immersive experience. While details about Darktide's next class DLC are still under wraps, set for revelation on November 11, Fatshark has assured players that the game's overarching story will evolve and grow.

Victor Magnuson, the design director, clarified that narrative additions would not necessarily be tied to new classes. Instead, each new game component will contribute to the broader storyline. Magnuson acknowledged the inherent difficulties in weaving a compelling narrative into a cooperative game where players might have varying levels of engagement and differing experiences. Their strategy involves a gradual release of story elements, like 'puzzle pieces' that slowly come together to reveal a larger picture. This iterative approach allows the development team to integrate narrative without disrupting the core gameplay flow.

A notable hurdle for the Darktide team has been the creation of an entirely new setting. The Vermintide series benefited from a rich tapestry of established lore within the Warhammer Fantasy world, drawing inspiration from its extensive material and tabletop RPG adventures. However, for a typical Warhammer 40,000 game, the expectation is often a fresh, unique planetary setting. This meant designing Tertium from the ground up, envisioning aspects of the 40K universe rarely explored before. These newly imagined elements, such as trains, have unexpectedly become central to many missions, demonstrating the creative freedom and challenges of building an original world within a well-established franchise.

Chief creative officer Anders De Geer recounted an interesting anecdote from the development process. During a meeting with Games Workshop personnel, he inquired about elements they wished to see brought to life. Jes Goodwin, a renowned artist and miniature sculptor, specifically mentioned trains and train stations, which subsequently influenced their integration into the game's missions. This highlights the collaborative spirit and the impact of creative insights in shaping the game's unique environment.

Fatshark is committed to expanding Darktide's storyline, introducing new narrative elements with each update. This method allows the developers to continuously enrich the game's universe, providing players with fresh content and deepening their understanding of Tertium. The studio's commitment ensures that the game's lore will steadily unfold, offering new perspectives and challenges within the Warhammer 40,000 setting.