THQ Inc have announced that Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade has reached the gold master stage of development and is now entering manufacturing. Developed by THQ's critically acclaimed studio Relic Entertainment, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is a hybrid expansion to the award winning Real-Time Strategy hit Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and will be playable as a stand alone game. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is scheduled to begin shipping to retailers worldwide on October 9, 2006.

"We're delivering the visceral, cutting-edge RTS experience gamers expect from Relic Entertainment, and they will enjoy Dark Crusade whether they're fans of the series or are discovering it for the first time," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "By making a hybrid standalone expansion, we've given the first time player plenty of single and multiplayer game-play options while providing a great deal of new content to the experienced Dawn of War veteran."

About Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade is set in Games Workshop's world of Warhammer 40,000 - a dark, futuristic, fantasy universe where armies of technologically advanced warriors, fighting machines and hordes of implacable aliens wage constant war - and is traveled by millions worldwide. As a hybrid expansion, the game offers a complete standalone experience, allowing gamers to play as all seven races, including the all-new, mysterious Tau and the chilling Necron. Fans who own the entire Dawn of War series can look forward to new units across each of the five original races, expansive bonus content and the ability to play as any of the seven races in multiplayer. For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, please visit www.dow-darkcrusade.com. The demo is also widely available for download on file planet and other sites.