Warhammer: The Old World is expected to be released next year

The long-anticipated return of the original Warhammer tabletop setting, initially announced in 2019, has been officially confirmed for the coming year. Games Workshop made this announcement as part of Warhammer Day 2023, stating, "Today, we are pleased to confirm that Warhammer: The Old World will be one of the first releases in 2024."

Warhammer: The Old World, first announced back in 2019, will introduce a new tabletop war game set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, distinct from Age of Sigmar. If you're familiar with Warhammer from video games like Total War or Vermintide, this is the version of the setting you know – a map inspired by Renaissance Europe and its environs, with the forces of Chaos encroaching at the edges.

The first army to be fully revealed to the public is the Kingdom of Bretonnia, with its peasants and knights, including foot-mounted knight miniatures for the first time in history. Some will be modeled in resin, such as the lady of the realm serenely floating into battle, while others will be available in plastic, like the units of peasant bowmen.

"These regiments, along with future regiments, will return in boxes containing enough plastic miniatures to assemble a full regiment," noted Games Workshop. "Not just one or two ranks. With the Peasant Bowmen set, you'll be able to create a unit of 32 archers, complete with a command group and Defensive Stakes. Thus, dreams of creating massive armies of ranked-up troops will become entirely achievable."

Warhammer: The Old World will be set during the Age of Three Emperors, predating the Great War Against Chaos known from games like Mordheim. So, don't worry, the End Times are still far off. Initially, The Old World will focus on the Border Princes and the surrounding nations, meaning the core supported factions will include the Empire of Man, Orc & Goblin Tribes, Dwarfen Mountain Holds, Warriors of Chaos, Beastmen Brayherds, Wood Elf Realms, Tomb Kings of Khemri, and High Elf Realms. Rules for other factions, such as the Skaven and Vampire Counts, will be available as free PDFs for those with their old armies.