Creative Assembly is striving to make Total War: Warhammer 40,000 an approachable experience for players unfamiliar with either the Total War franchise or the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The studio recognizes that the series' traditionally complex mechanics can be a barrier to entry for some.
Battle product owner Dave Petry acknowledged the growing popularity of the Warhammer 40,000 IP, suggesting that the upcoming game could attract a significant influx of new players to the Total War series. "We want to make [Total War: Warhammer 40,000] as approachable and accessible as possible," Petry stated in an interview.
Despite this focus on accessibility, the developers intend to preserve the core gameplay fundamentals that define the Total War experience. "We want to invite people into this big tent with this grimdark setting," Petry explained. "So, if there are going to be a lot of new players coming, let's show them why Total War is awesome."
To achieve this balance, the game will feature two distinct tutorial campaigns. These tutorials will utilize UI gating, a method of introducing game systems gradually over time rather than overwhelming players with all features at once. This approach aims to ease players into the game's mechanics without sacrificing the depth that fans expect.
Design lead Joy Dey further elaborated that the tutorials will also serve as an introduction to the rich lore of Warhammer 40,000 itself. This is particularly important for potential strategy fans who may have no prior knowledge of the setting's factions and characters, such as Space Marines. While there are no current plans for direct sequels, Creative Assembly intends to support Total War: Warhammer 40,000 with ongoing updates.