Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has experienced a significant player resurgence following the debut of its first new class, though criticism surrounding monetization persists. This is especially true after developer Fatshark introduced a version of the Arbitrator's default helmet with the visor raised, priced at $5.
The recent Battle for Tertium update, released alongside the Adeptus Arbites class DLC, overhauled the core gameplay to offer a more focused, narrative-driven experience for this cooperative first-person melee/shooter.
Players now progress through a linear campaign featuring new mission briefings and integrated cutscenes. This redesign aims to "introduce new players more smoothly and progressively unlock features that were previously restricted by character level," according to Fatshark.
For veteran players, the main attraction was the Adeptus Arbites class, and its release has proven effective. This $11.99 DLC appears to have re-engaged players who remained through the game's rocky launch and successfully lured back others who had moved on.
Post-launch, Darktide reached a peak of over 43,000 concurrent players on Steam, its highest number on the platform in more than 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 engagement but did not provide specific player counts across PC and console.
"We have observed a high level of engagement on all platforms, even if we cannot share exact numbers at this moment," Delrue stated. "The crucial point is that the community continues to be active and passionate, and for that we are immensely grateful."
However, one issue remains a point of contention: monetization. The Adeptus Arbites DLC launched with a new set of premium cosmetics, purchasable with the in-game currency Aquilas (the Aquila is an ancient symbol for the Imperium of Man in Warhammer 40,000). Among these items, one cosmetic has particularly frustrated the community: a helmet with its visor raised.
This specific helmet for the Arbitrator is visually identical to the default, visor-down helmet included with the new class. Essentially, players are paying 900 Aquilas (approximately $5) merely to have the visor in an upward position.
Unsurprisingly, this decision has been poorly received by some Darktide players. A thread on the Darktide subreddit, titled "We've reached the current peak of Fatshark greed," has garnered over 3,000 upvotes.
"It's ridiculous that this wasn't just part of the default helmet with the visor down," one player commented. "Why not just add a button to toggle the visor?" suggested another. A fan humorously noted, "At least the visor-up version isn't the default, forcing you to pay for the down position." Another joked, "You're telling me I have to pay extra to see my character's unattractive face? I buy skins to hide it."
When IGN presented these complaints about the cosmetic and Darktide's monetization to Fatshark, Delrue explained that selling items is necessary to fund ongoing game development but acknowledged the feedback.
"Setting cosmetic prices is always a delicate balance," Delrue said. "As a live service title, our goal is to continue developing the game while also recognizing what players consider fair value. We value these discussions, as they help us understand what the community prioritizes and guide our future approach to cosmetics."
The ongoing question is how long Fatshark will continue to develop new content for Darktide as it approaches its third anniversary. Delrue pointed to the studio's sustained support for the older Warhammer title, Vermintide, as a sign of its dedication. He even confirmed that additional classes are in development.
"From day one, we have consistently provided free updates for Darktide, and that promise remains firm," Delrue affirmed. "As our work on Vermintide demonstrates, we are committed for the long term. Players can look forward to continued support, including new classes and more free content as the game grows."
