Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Gains Popularity with New Arbites Class, but Monetization Sparks Controversy
Darktide Experiences Player Surge Following Arbites Class Release
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has recently seen a significant increase in its player base after launching its first new class, the Adeptus Arbites. This fresh content appears to have revitalized interest in the game, attracting both long-time fans and lapsed players alike.
Major Update Enhances Gameplay and Narrative
This week’s “Battle for Tertium” update, released alongside the Arbites class DLC, overhauled core gameplay features to offer a more immersive experience. The update introduces a more linear campaign structure, including new mission debriefs and in-game cinematics, designed to make the game more accessible to newcomers.
According to Fatshark, the developer, these changes aim to “provide a clearer narrative focus” and gently guide players through unlocking features that were previously restricted by character level. The update strives to create a more engaging and streamlined journey for both new and veteran players.
Arbites Class Sparks Renewed Interest
The highlight of this expansion was undoubtedly the new Adeptus Arbites class, priced at $12. This DLC has successfully rekindled enthusiasm among the community, drawing in players who have been with Darktide since its rocky launch, as well as encouraging former players to return to the fight.
Following the update, Darktide reached a peak of over 43,000 concurrent players on Steam — the highest count in over two years. This impressive milestone underscores the game’s resurgence, complemented by its availability on gaming consoles, broadening its reach even further.
Official Statements Reflect Growing Engagement
Rodrigue Delrue, Product Marketing Manager, shared with industry insiders that the game has experienced increased activity across all platforms. While exact numbers remain undisclosed, Delrue emphasized the importance of maintaining an active and passionate community, expressing gratitude for ongoing support.
Monetization Controversy: Paying for a Visor Upgrades
Despite the positive reception, controversy has emerged around Darktide’s approach to monetization. Alongside the Arbites DLC, the game introduced new cosmetic items, purchasable with in-game currency called Aquilas — the symbolic currency of the Warhammer universe.
Most contentious was a helmet for the Arbitrator class, which is identical to the default helmet but features the visor in an up position. Players can purchase this cosmetic upgrade for approximately $5 (900 Aquilas). This decision has sparked widespread criticism within the community.
Community Reactions and Player Frustration
- “We’ve reached peak greed from Fatshark,” read one popular post on the Darktide subreddit, which garnered thousands of upvotes.
- “It’s frustrating that this wasn’t just included with the default helmet,” lamented a player. “Just give me a button to toggle the visor up or down.”
- “I’m glad the visor-up isn’t default, and I don’t want to pay extra for it,” joked another. “Paying to see my character’s face? I was just buying skins to hide it.”
Developer Response and Future Outlook
In response to these complaints, Fatshark’s Rodrigue Delrue explained that monetization is essential for ongoing game development. He acknowledged community feedback and emphasized that cosmetic pricing is a delicate balancing act.
“As a live-service game, we need to generate revenue to support continuous updates and improvements,” Delrue stated. “We value player input, and these discussions help us better understand what the community considers fair. Future cosmetic offerings will be influenced by this feedback.”
Looking Ahead: Continued Support and New Content
With the game approaching its third anniversary, questions remain about how much more content Fatshark will develop for Darktide. Delrue pointed to the studio’s sustained support for its older game, Vermintide, as evidence of its long-term commitment to its player base.
“Since launch, we have consistently delivered free updates for Darktide, and this commitment remains unchanged,” he assured. “Just as with Vermintide, players can expect ongoing support, including new classes and additional free content, as the game evolves.”
Fans can look forward to more updates and features in the future as Fatshark continues its dedication to the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Alex "Pixel" Petrov
Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.