The beta for the Dawn of War 2 update 'There Is Only War' is now live on Steam.

Users can participate by opting into the beta. In Steam, select "file," then under the "beta participation" section, click "change." Select Dawn of War 2, restart Steam, and the patch will automatically download.

The beta brings eight new multiplayer maps, balance changes, bug fixes, and a multiplayer map editor to Relic's RTS.

The insanely long list of content is copied below:... Read more

Mere hours before it was slated to begin, the public beta for the impending Dawn of War II (PC) update "There is Only War" update has been briefly delayed due to technical snag.

Developer Relic now expects the public beta test to kick off tomorrow, July 2, at 2:00 PM PST. "We know you're all really excited to get your hands on the new maps, balance and features - so are we," reads a developer update. "Please bear with us."

The massive update brings a ridiculous amount of tweaks to the action-RTS, including new multiplayer maps, balance changes, bug fixes, and a new multiplayer map editor.

Owners of the game will be able to obtain the beta patch by going into the Steam settings menu and choosing to participate in the appropriately listed beta. The patch can be removed by reversing those directions, with the final version expected later this summer.

Servants of the God-Emperor eager to get their power fists on the beta for Dawn of War 2's 'There Is Only War' update need wait only a little longer, a new blog entry reveals.

The beta will begin at 2pm PST on July 1 and run until July 13, handled by Steam's own beta participation system. "The more you tell us about your experience in the Beta," Relic urges, "the better the game will be when 'There is Only War' is fully released."

'There Is Only War' significantly rebalances Relic's PC RTS, as well as adding eight new maps and a multiplayer map editor. The gigantic full patch notes follow... Read more

Relic has released another Dawn of War 2 Battle Report, this time illustrating the 'There Is Only War' update's reworked balance with a Space Marine versus Ork matchup.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

'There Is Only War' also brings eight new maps and a map editor to the Warhammer 40K RTS. The patch is due later this summer, with an open beta beginning in early July.

Dawn of War 2 will indeed receive multiplayer map editor--as previously teased--in the PC strategy title's 'There Is Only War' update, Relic has confirmed in a blog post.

The editor will allow the creation of maps for 2, 4 or 6 players, with tools to "deform terrain, place cover objects, choose the weather, and define the size of the map."

'There Is Only War' is set to arrive this Summer, with an open beta starting in early July.

A screenshot of the Dawn of War II map editor posted on the game's blog with only the title "Incoming..." as explanation has sparked hopes that Relic will release the tool publicly.

"We haven't officially announced anything yet," wrote Dawn of War II producer Mark Noseworthy coyly in a forum thread. "The images are pretty interesting though. That is indeed a picture from our Map Editor."

Both the original Dawn of War and Relic's WW2 RTS Company of Heroes--built upon an earlier version of the Essence Engine DoW 2 uses--received editors soon after launch.

A huge Dawn of War II update titled "There is Only War" is currently the works, bringing eight new multiplayer maps and a large-scale rebalancing--as explained in a battle report. The update is due in the summer, with an open beta set to begin in early July.

Relic has released a lengthy new video showing off the many changes coming to Dawn of War II in the upcoming "There is Only War" update. The video, done in the style of Blizzard's StarCraft II battle reports, features Relic balancers Colin Hamilton and Braden Chan duking it out in a Tyranid/Eldar match on the new Outer Reaches map. Dawn of War II lead designer Jonny Ebbert and balance designer Clint Tasker narrate.

Check out the video below:... Read more

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (PC) developer Relic today pulled back the curtain on the summer-due "There is Only War" update, said to bring "new features, major balance improvements, and new content" to the action-RTS.

In terms of content, eight new multiplayer maps (seen above), ranging from 1v1 to 3v3, and the ability to spectate custom multiplayer matches will be included.

To help test the various changes and bug fixes, an open beta for the update will be held in early July. The beta will be open to all Dawn of War II owners, according to a developer update, and more details are due in the coming weeks. Thanks to eonix for the tip.

Developer Relic has announced that it is already "hard at work" on a 1.4 patch for Dawn of War 2, which will include "many bug fixes, a balance update, new maps, and some awesome new features."

In addition, a 1.3.2 patch for the game will be out tomorrow. The continuous support is part of Relic's plan to improve its patch pipeline over the original Dawn of War.

The 1.3.2. patch notes follow:

• Adjusted the Orbital Bombardment ability to increase... Read more

More than a week of teases later, Dawn of War 2 developer Relic has revealed that the next patch for its PC RTS will arrive tomorrow, Tuesday May 12, at 11 AM PST.

The free download adds a new two-on-two multiplayer mode, complete with two new maps, along with AI fixes, user interface tweaks, and various other changes. For details on everything that tomorrow will bring, see the full patch notes below... Read more

The third post on the upcoming 1.3 patch for Dawn of War 2 details the improvements made to the game's AI.

"The AI can now balance its resources much better," writes developer Relic. "The AI also selects from its potential units in a more intelligent way, building counters to what the player is producing."

Additionally, Relic also noted that the AI now be smart enough to avoid blindly capturing points as you blast them to bits.

The post ends with a few notes on bug fixes: "The most noticeable one will be the targeting of abilities. The computer now knows how to stomp and kill with abilities like jump, grenades, AOE attacks, and even Orbital Bombardment and Eldritch Storm."

Publisher THQ today announced the results of the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2009, revealing a net loss of $431.1 million. Described by THQ CEO Brian Farrell as "a challenging fiscal 2009," the year saw higher losses and lower sales than FY2008.

Net sales dipped to $830 million in FY2009, down from $1.03 billion in FY2008, with FY2008's net loss coming at a relatively less severe $35.3 million. Despite the slide, Farrell expressed confidence for the next year, citing THQ's recently completed cost-cutting measures and its increased focus on quality, brands and profitability.

The company also touted its recent sales highlights, pointing out that Saints Row 2 has now shipped over 2.8 million units and noting that Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II "debuted as the best selling PC game across major video game markets worldwide."

In a separate announcement, THQ added that it has "signed a commitment letter for a $35 million senior secured credit facility with Bank of America, NA," with THQ CFO Paul Pucino explaining that "we are pursuing this credit facility as a prudent backup to our $141 million cash and short-term investment balance at March 31, 2009."

Developer Relic has lifted the fog of war to reveal Ruins of Argos and Medean Cliff Mines, the two 2v2 maps available for the mode which arrives in the upcoming patch.

In a developer update, Relic explains that the maps are created for different styles of play--Cliff Mines is open and difficult to control, while Ruins fosters intense action.

Relic promises more details over the coming week for the patch due "early May."

A two-on-two multiplayer mode is coming to Dawn of War 2 in an upcoming patch, developer Relic divulged in a community update today.

The mode will be accompanied by two 4-player maps in the new 1.3 patch, which is expected to be released early this month.

Other features slated for the update include "more challenging" skirmish AI, push-to-talk voice chat, a PC performance test, and new squad decorators and UI improvements.

Relic promises more information on the patch in the coming days.

Relic today generously released the full soundtrack to its latest strategy title, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2, as a free download.

The 20 tracks are the result of work by composer Doyle W. Donehoo and audio lead Jason Ross, along with contributions by artist Noah Stacey and everyone's favorite designer, Noobie Noobinson.

You can grab the 20-track, 188mb soundtrack now from FileShack.

Thanks spaceyme.

A single-player demo for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is now on FileShack.

The 333MB download allows players to sample the campaign mode of Relic's PC strategy sequel. While many got a sneak peak at the game in the public multiplayer beta held prior to its February 19 release, campaign gameplay was not offered.

In celebration of the demo, Steam--required to run the game--is offering a 25% off discount, bringing the game's cost down to $37.49. The sale ends Monday, April 20.

For more on Dawn of War II, check out our glowing review and the latest patch notes.

Developer Relic has pulled the wraps off the next Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II patch, which will bring a new map and more balance tweaks to the PC strategy game.

The new arena, Tiber Outpost, supports up to six players in the Team Battle mode. A few screenshots, visible above, were released on the Dawn of War II Community Site.

The patch, version 1.2.1, is set to be released on Monday, April 13, at noon PST. As with past updates, it will be automatically downloaded and applied after restarting Steam. Read on for the complete patch notes, details on the various balance... Read more

Relic today issued another patch for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2, this one meant to address a bug that saw players lose units due to population cap problems.

The update is the first in a two-part fix for the issue, with the studio noting that there are a few rare cases where the bug may still pop up, but they require "intended exploitation."

Owners of the PC action-RTS will automatically receive the patch after rebooting Steam. For more on what the update fixes, check out the full patch notes below:

• Addressed a Population Cap issue where during reinforcement, the final unit reinforced charged twice the population cap to the player... Read more

NPD's list of the ten best-selling PC games at United States retailers didn't change all that much during the week of February 22-28. Like the last week, Dawn of War II is still on top, Lich King is still in second, and The Sims take up the two spots below that.

Apart from some reshuffled positions later down the list, the only noteworthy changes are the disappearances of F.E.A.R. 2 and Crysis Warhead. They were replaced by the incredibly cheap Sims Carnival: SnapCity and the first World of Warcraft expansion.

1. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II / Relic / $48
2. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King / Blizzard / $38
3. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $20
4. The Sims 2 Deluxe / EA Maxis / $2
5. World Of Warcraft / Blizzard / $16
6. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest / Blizzard / $35
7. Spore / EA Maxis / $44
8. The Sims Carnival: SnapCity / Electronic Arts / $2
9. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Exp. Pack / EA Maxis / $19
10. World Of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade / Blizzard / $25

The latest software sales figures from sales-tracking group NPD are in, showing the top ten PC games at United States retailers during the week of February 15-21, 2009.

That week saw the debut of Dawn of War II, along with the surprise return of Crysis Warhead. Meanwhile, Fallout 3 and Call of Duty: World at War both dropped off, but F.E.A.R. 2 managed to hang on, just not in the #2 slot it hit last week.

By the way, Dawn of War 2 marks the first new game to top Wrath of the Lich King since the juggernaut appeared way back in November. Since then, Lich King and The Sims 2 have battled for supremacy, but no new game has charted above the King until now.

1. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II / Relic / $49
2. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King / Blizzard / $35
3. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $19
4. The Sims 2 Deluxe / EA Maxis / $3
5. Spore / EA Maxis / $41
6. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest / Blizzard / $34
7. World Of Warcraft / Blizzard / $16
8. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin / Monolith / $49
9. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Exp. Pack / EA Maxis / $19
10. Crysis Warhead / Crytek / $19