Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has experienced a significant surge in player numbers following the launch of its first new class, though criticisms over its monetization practices persist. This was further fueled when developer Fatshark released a version of the Arbitrator's default helmet with the visor raised for a $5 fee.
This week's Battle for Tertium update, which accompanied the new Adeptus Arbites class DLC, overhauled the core gameplay experience. It introduces a sharper narrative focus for this cooperative first-person melee/shooter hybrid.
Players are now guided through a linear campaign featuring new mission debriefings and integrated cinematics. Fatshark states this redesign aims to "welcome new players more smoothly and gradually unlock features that were previously locked behind character level."
However, the major attraction for veteran players was the Adeptus Arbites class itself. This $11.99 DLC appears successful in re-engaging both loyal players who have stayed through the game's rocky launch and those who had stepped away.
Following the DLC's release, Darktide reached a peak concurrent player count of just over 43,000 on Steam, its highest on Valve's platform in over two years. This figure doesn't fully capture the game's success, as it is also available on consoles.
In a statement to IGN, Product Marketing Manager Rodrigue Delrue acknowledged the increased activity but did not provide specific player counts across PC and console.
"We've observed a high level of engagement across all platforms, though we don't have exact numbers to share currently," Delrue said. "What matters is that the community remains active and passionate, and we are immensely grateful for that."
Nevertheless, a central point of contention remains: monetization. The Adeptus Arbites DLC launched alongside a new set of premium cosmetics, purchased with the in-game currency Aquilas. Within this debate, one particular item has ignited community frustration: a helmet with its visor raised.
This Arbitrator-specific helmet is identical to the default visor-down version included with the new class. Effectively, players are paying 900 Aquilas (approximately $5) solely to have the visor in an upright position.
As expected, this move has been poorly received by a portion of the Darktide community. A thread on the Darktide subreddit, upvoted thousands of times, declared, "We've reached the current peak of Fatshark greed."
"It's ridiculous that this wasn't simply included with the otherwise identical default helmet," remarked one player. Another suggested, "Just give me a button to toggle the visor." A fan quipped, "I'm just relieved the visor-up version isn't the default, forcing you to pay for the down position." Another joked, "You mean I have to pay extra to see my character's unattractive face? I buy cosmetics to hide it."
When IGN presented these complaints about the cosmetic and Darktide's monetization overall, Delrue explained that the studio relies on item sales to fund ongoing game development but acknowledged the feedback.
"Cosmetic pricing is always a balancing act," Delrue stated. "As a live service game, we need to sustain development while respecting what players consider fair value. We appreciate these discussions, as they help us understand what the community values and guide our approach to future cosmetics."
The current question is: how long will Fatshark continue developing new content for Darktide as it nears its third anniversary? Delrue pointed to the studio's sustained support for the older Warhammer game, Vermintide, as proof of its dedication. He also confirmed that more new classes are in development.
"Since launch, we have consistently supported Darktide with free updates, and that commitment stands firm," Delrue affirmed. "As demonstrated with Vermintide, we are invested for the long term. Players can rightly anticipate ongoing support, including new classes and additional free content as the game continues to grow."
