Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy sets its Open Alpha for December 16 on PC, with Owlcat confirming a short trailer to mark the date.
The studio says players will step in as Inquisitors, assemble a warband, and run investigations that feed into turn-based combat encounters and branching choices. It’s a focused premise: root out heresy, make hard calls, and live with the consequences.
Access is tied to the studio’s Founder program. Alpha entry is included with the $79 “Developers Digital Pack” and the $289 Collector’s Edition, both available through Owlcat’s site. If you’ve followed Rogue Trader’s model, this will feel familiar: early access in exchange for funding and feedback before full release.
Dark Heresy is set during the Noctis Aeterna, with the Tyrant Star looming over events. Companions span Imperial and xenos alike, from a Catachan veteran to a bird-like Kroot mercenary, signaling a more eclectic party mix than Rogue Trader.
Owlcat also says the game uses fully voiced dialogue, a notable change from its past work. The goal is a tighter, more reactive campaign that pushes investigations forward rather than sprawling exploration for its own sake.
The Open Alpha is PC-only, and the final game is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG). If you want to wishlist it now, do so on the PC storefronts; console versions are announced but not up for preorder at the time of writing.
There’s a short Alpha Release Date trailer below if you want a quick look at tone, UI, and party setup. It sticks to the grim side of 40K, Inquisition seals, whispered orders, and surgical strikes.
If you’re waiting rather than founding, Rogue Trader remains the best reference point for Owlcat’s take on 40K. It’s available on PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with two DLC packs already out.
That makes Dark Heresy the narrative sibling: same universe, sharper focus, and a design shift toward investigation and consequence.