Warhammer 40K’s Next Major Release Officially Arrives December 8

Published Nov 4, 2026, 10:05 AM EST

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Warhammer 40K has become one of gaming's most popular sci-fi franchises, bringing Games Workshop's sprawling universe to life through countless video games across different genres, as well as TV and film. From the iconic Dawn of War strategy games to the brutal co-op experience Darktide, the franchise has a little something for everyone.

More recently, Space Marine 2 became a massive hit, introducing countless newcomers to the grim 41st millennium while giving longtime fans one of the franchise's most exciting adventures yet. However, one of the most compelling Warhammer 40K experiences in recent years has been Rogue Trader, Owlcat Games' acclaimed 2023 RPG that takes a very different approach to the universe.

With its tactical turn-based combat and sprawling narrative, Rogue Trader offers a deeper look into the franchise's intricate lore and unforgiving setting. Now, Warhammer 40K has officially revealed its next major release in a brand-new trailer, confirming that fans have something else to look forward to, arriving on December 8, 2026.

Custom Image by Lee D'Amato

Warhammer 40K fans officially have another major release to look forward to this year, as Owlcat Games has confirmed that Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader will receive its fourth and final DLC, Processional of the Damned, on December 8, 2026. The announcement comes alongside a brand-new trailer showcasing the upcoming expansion, which will bring the Rogue Trader's adventures across the Koronus Expanse to a close.

As opposed to a separate standalone adventure, Processional of the Damned will be integrated directly into the main campaign, introducing new quests throughout the existing story. At the center of the expansion is Stella, a new recruitable companion raised by the Order of Saint Cognatius. Known as a Miraculist, Stella possesses extraordinary psychic abilities that have led her religious order to regard her as a living miracle.

Stella leads the Rogue Trader and their companions into the Processional of the Damned, an enormous graveyard of abandoned voidships where the crew becomes trapped. To escape, players work alongside survivors of a lost missionary expedition to explore the mysterious wreckage and work to figure out who lured Stella into the graveyard and why.

The expansion will also introduce several new gameplay features, including the Zealot archetype, which specializes in melee combat, bludgeoning weapons, and AoE attacks. Players can also expect a new madness mechanic that affects companions, additional enemies associated with the Archenemy and Aeldari, grenade launchers, new equipment, additional romance content, and expanded space exploration.

Processional of the Damned was originally expected to launch in September 2026, but Owlcat announced a delay on September 24, explaining that the expansion needed additional development time. The studio shifted its release window to December, with the latest trailer finally confirming the December 8 launch. The expansion will also be included in the game's second Season Pass alongside The Infinite Museion, which launched in June 2026.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is currently available on PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG, alongside PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader

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