Is Total War: Warhammer Set in the 40k Universe?
The straightforward answer is a resounding no. Total War: Warhammer, a series celebrated for its epic scale and fantastical battles, is not set in the grim, science-fiction world of Warhammer 40,000. While both franchises share the same parent company, Games Workshop, and some thematic overlaps, they exist within distinctly separate universes. To understand this distinction, it’s crucial to delve into the origins and characteristics of each setting.
Understanding the Warhammer Universes
Warhammer Fantasy vs. Warhammer 40,000
Warhammer Fantasy Battles (WHFB), which serves as the foundation for the Total War: Warhammer games, was initially released in 1983 as a tabletop miniatures game. It is a world steeped in high fantasy, featuring elves, dwarves, orcs, and humans, engaging in conflicts amid a landscape of magic, mythical beasts, and ancient empires. The setting, while not explicitly named, is often referred to as the “Old World” or simply “Warhammer,” and is characterized by its medieval European aesthetic, albeit with fantastical exaggerations. The game eventually morphed into Age of Sigmar in 2015, which introduced significant changes to the setting and lore. However, the Total War: Warhammer series is set within the time of WHFB.
On the other hand, Warhammer 40,000 (40k) is a sci-fi counterpart, born from the imagination of Games Workshop as a grim, dystopian future where humanity is locked in a perpetual war against alien threats, internal corruption, and the insidious forces of Chaos. The setting is characterized by advanced technology, powered armor-clad warriors known as Space Marines, and vast interstellar empires. Think of 40k as a gothic sci-fi where the themes of fantasy are given a dark, futuristic spin.
Key Differences
The crucial difference lies in their genre and setting. Warhammer Fantasy thrives on classic fantasy tropes, medieval weaponry, and magical combat, whereas 40k is rooted in science fiction, focusing on futuristic technology, armored warfare, and interstellar conflict. Although both universes feature races like Elves and Orcs (known as Eldar and Orks in 40k), their nature, technology, and societal structures are drastically different. Even the Chaos Gods, while present in both settings, manifest in diverse ways, further emphasizing the separation of the universes.
The Warp: A Shared Concept
One concept that is sometimes cited as a potential link is the Warp. The Warp is a chaotic dimension of raw psychic energy and emotion that exists as a parallel realm in both settings. In Warhammer Fantasy, the Warp is the source of magic, while in 40k it’s a dimension used for faster-than-light travel and as a source of psychic powers. Although both dimensions are called the Warp, their nature and impact on the universe are distinct. They are not precisely the same thing. This shared concept is more thematic than literal, and doesn’t make the universes the same.
Total War: Warhammer’s Place
Total War: Warhammer is set squarely within the Warhammer Fantasy world. The games faithfully depict the setting, characters, and conflicts of the old world, providing a faithful digital adaptation of the tabletop game. Each installment in the trilogy, including Total War: Warhammer, Total War: Warhammer II, and Total War: Warhammer III, occurs simultaneously, covering different areas and factions within this realm. Therefore, there is no crossover with Warhammer 40k in terms of the game’s core setting and lore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Total War: Warhammer connected to Age of Sigmar?
While Age of Sigmar is the successor to Warhammer Fantasy, Total War: Warhammer is specifically set in the Warhammer Fantasy era before its cataclysmic end. So, while they are related as IPs from the same company, Total War: Warhammer does not feature the changes of Age of Sigmar.
Is Total War and 40k in the same universe?
No, they are not. They exist in entirely separate fictional universes, with different core settings and technologies, despite being owned by Games Workshop.
What is the difference between 40k and Total War: Warhammer?
The primary difference is genre and technology. Warhammer 40k is a science fiction setting with advanced technology and interstellar travel, while Total War: Warhammer is a fantasy setting with medieval-style weaponry and magic.
Why isn’t there a 40k Total War game?
The Total War series’ game engine is designed for massed infantry battles, with an emphasis on formations and traditional warfare. Adapting this style to the technology and scale of 40k battles would be a significant technical challenge and would require a very different design philosophy.
Does Earth exist in Warhammer 40k?
Yes, Earth exists in Warhammer 40k. It is known as Terra and is the homeworld of humanity and the sacred seat of the Imperium of Man.
Are all the Total War: Warhammer games connected?
Yes, all three games in the Total War: Warhammer trilogy are connected. They occur simultaneously within the same world, offering different campaign scenarios, factions, and challenges across different geographic areas of the setting.
Can the Warhammer 40k universe be saved?
The lore of Warhammer 40k suggests that the universe is inherently doomed. The narrative focuses on relentless conflict and a bleak future for humanity, a central theme that serves as a defining trait for the setting.
Is Total War: Warhammer set in the end times?
No, Total War: Warhammer is not set in the End Times of the Warhammer Fantasy world. The games are set roughly in the period when Franz is crowned as emperor of the Empire, before the cataclysmic events of the End Times take place.
Is Vermintide set in the Warhammer universe?
Yes, the Vermintide series is set within the Warhammer Fantasy universe, specifically during the End Times period. It is tied to the same setting as Total War: Warhammer, although focusing on different types of gameplay.
Are all Warhammer 40k books canon?
Most content created or licensed by Games Workshop is considered canon. However, due to the extensive nature of the lore, some sources are considered “more” canon than others.
Does America exist in Warhammer 40k?
Yes, a future version of America, known as Merica, exists in Warhammer 40k. It is part of a larger North American continental hive sprawl.
Does God exist in Warhammer?
The concept of a singular creator god does not exist in Warhammer. Rather, the various gods of the setting, including the Chaos Gods, are born out of the emotions and psychic emanations of the mortal races of the universe.
Is Holy Terra actually Earth?
Yes, Holy Terra is another name for Earth in the Warhammer 40k setting, specifically as it exists within the Imperium of Man.
Why are there no Space Marines in Total War: Warhammer?
There are no Space Marines in Total War: Warhammer because they belong to the Warhammer 40,000 setting, which is separate from the fantasy setting.
Is Total War: Warhammer a AAA game?
Yes, Total War: Warhammer, as part of the main Total War franchise, is considered a AAA game. These titles represent significant advancements in the series’ technology and gameplay.
In conclusion, while Total War: Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 both share a common origin and some conceptual themes, they are firmly set within distinct and separate universes. This understanding is crucial for appreciating the rich lore and immersive experience each franchise offers. They should not be confused as part of the same universe.