You know what’s worse than keeping a secret? Almost keeping a secret. Creative Assembly learned this the hard way during their Total War 25th Anniversary showcase on December 4, 2025, when their own development tools casually revealed what appears to be Total War: Warhammer 40,000 – the game they’re supposedly saving for a big reveal at The Game Awards.
The Accidental Reveal
During the anniversary livestream, Creative Assembly developers were showing off their workflow and upcoming projects. But someone forgot to clean up their file browser. Reddit users and YouTube viewers with sharp eyes caught something incredible – a folder clearly labeled “40k” sitting right there in the development tools interface.
That alone would have been enough to send the community into speculation mode. But wait, there’s more. Another screenshot shows a label reading “fleet action,” which pretty obviously points toward space-based combat. You know, the kind of thing you’d expect in a Warhammer 40,000 game set in the grim darkness of the far future.
The Game Awards Connection
Here’s where it gets interesting. Creative Assembly announced two things during their showcase – Total War: Medieval 3 and a major update for Total War: Warhammer III. But they also teased a third mystery game set for a grand reveal at The Game Awards on December 11-12, 2025.
According to game director Attila Mohacsi, this mystery project represents “one of the most ambitious games we have ever worked on as a studio.” Creative Assembly described it as marking a “revolutionary new chapter for the Total War franchise” and promised it would be their “next major release.”
Now, what kind of Total War game would be revolutionary enough to warrant this kind of hype? Historical games are great, but they’ve done those. More Warhammer Fantasy? They’re already deep into that. But Warhammer 40K? That would genuinely be a new frontier for the franchise.
Why This Leak Makes Perfect Sense
The Warhammer 40K rumors have been circulating for years. Creative Assembly already has a successful relationship with Games Workshop through the Total War: Warhammer trilogy. Taking that partnership into the 40K universe seems like the natural next step.
Here’s what we can piece together from various sources and the leak:
- The “40k” label directly references Warhammer 40,000
- Fleet action mechanics suggest space combat and planetary invasions
- The new Warcore engine was announced specifically to bring Total War to consoles, which would be huge for a 40K game
- Creative Assembly needs a massive hit after the Hyenas disaster, and 40K has an enormous fanbase
What Total War 40K Could Look Like
Adapting the Total War formula to Warhammer 40K presents fascinating possibilities. The traditional Total War structure of turn-based campaign maps combined with real-time tactical battles fits perfectly with 40K’s blend of galactic strategy and ground warfare.
Fleet action mechanics suggest we might see space battles alongside traditional ground combat. Imagine commanding massive Imperial fleets before deploying Space Marines to the planet’s surface. Or orchestrating Ork Waaaghs across multiple systems. The faction variety in 40K – from Necrons to Tyranids to Chaos – offers incredible gameplay diversity.
The Timing Question
Creative Assembly announced Medieval 3 is in early pre-production and won’t arrive for years. They specifically mentioned the Warcore engine would power future titles on next-generation consoles, potentially PS6 and the next Xbox. So when could Total War 40K actually release?
If it’s being revealed at The Game Awards as their “next major release,” it’s likely further along in development than Medieval 3. The fact that development tools already show 40K-specific features suggests active development rather than just planning stages. A 2026 or 2027 release window seems plausible, though Creative Assembly hasn’t confirmed anything official yet.
Community Reaction
The Total War subreddit had mixed reactions, which is actually pretty funny. Some fans are excited about 40K possibilities, while others desperately want more historical titles. One comment noted that Medieval 3’s early announcement might have been Creative Assembly’s way of saying “we’re still doing historical games” while preparing to launch another fantasy-themed title that will likely generate more revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Total War: Warhammer 40K officially confirmed?
Not officially. Creative Assembly has not formally announced the game, but leaked development tools from their December 4 showcase show clear references to “40k” and “fleet action,” strongly suggesting Warhammer 40K is in development.
When will the mystery Total War game be revealed?
Creative Assembly confirmed they will reveal their next major Total War title at The Game Awards on December 11-12, 2025. The reveal will include a trailer and the first glimpse of gameplay.
Will Total War 40K be on consoles?
Very likely. Creative Assembly announced the new Warcore engine specifically enables future Total War games to launch on PlayStation and Xbox platforms for the first time in franchise history.
How was the leak discovered?
During Creative Assembly’s 25th Anniversary showcase livestream, viewers spotted folders labeled “40k” and “fleet action” visible in the development tools shown on screen. Screenshots quickly spread across Reddit and gaming forums.
When will Total War 40K release?
No release date has been announced. However, since it’s described as the “next major release” and Medieval 3 is years away, a 2026-2027 release window seems possible, though this is purely speculation.
What is fleet action in Total War 40K?
Fleet action appears to be a development label suggesting space combat mechanics. In Warhammer 40K, this would involve battles between massive spacecraft before deploying forces to planetary surfaces.
Will this replace Total War: Warhammer III?
No. Creative Assembly announced a major update called “Lords of the End Times” for Total War: Warhammer III coming in summer 2026, and stated the Warhammer Fantasy series “is far from over.”
What Happens Next
All eyes turn to The Game Awards on December 11-12. Whether Creative Assembly officially unveils Total War: Warhammer 40K or surprises everyone with something completely different, the leaked dev tools have already set expectations sky-high. The combination of the 40K label, fleet action mechanics, and the new console-ready Warcore engine paints a pretty clear picture. Sometimes the most exciting reveals happen before the official announcement, and this accidental leak might be one of those moments that fans remember for years. December 11 can’t come fast enough.