Warhammer, (WH) is a dark fantasy universe originally created in 1983 by Games Workshop, a British company in the tabletop wargaming industry. Warhammer is one of the most influential fantasy universes, having influenced settings like Blizzard's Warcraft universe, and has itself been influenced by sources such as J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the works of H.P. Lovecraft and the Dungeons and Dragons setting by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. It also contains a strong steak of dark comedy inspired by the likes of Monty Python and Terry Pratchett.
Warhammer 40,000 (WH40k) is a science fiction universe created along the same principles as Warhammer fantasy.
Since its creation, Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 have spawned tabletop wargames, miniatures, books, video/computer games, collectable card games, and pen-and-paper RPG games.
Setting
The Old World
The Warhammer World is divided into many regions:
- Naggaroth Dark Elf Lands - realm of the Dark Elves.
- Realm of Chaos
- The Old World - home to Men, Dwarfs, Wood Elves and Halflings. It is also home to many evil creatures: Orcs, Goblins, and the followers of Chaos in their various guises. The high mountains and deep forests are infested with many monsters, and the northern regions are so wild and dangerous they are known as the Troll Country. Beyond the Troll Country lie the Northern Wastes, where there is only the shifting Realm of Chaos. The Old World is bounded by the Worlds Edge Mountains to the east and by the Great Western Ocean to the west. The northern coast lies against the Sea of Claws, on the other side of which is Norsca. The southern coast lies against the Southern Sea which divides the Old World from the Southlands and the realms of Araby.
- The Dark Lands
- Ulthuan Elven Kingdoms - realm of the High Elves.
- Lustia
- The South Lands
- Cathay - unknown lands, only crossed by Elves.
- Albion
- Norsca - home of fierce sea-fighting warriors and raiders.
- Unknown Lands
Warhammer Fantasy games:
- Warhamer Fantasy Battles
- Warmaster
- Blood Bowl
- Mordheim
- Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
- Warhammer Quest
- Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
- Warhammer: Mark of Chaos
- Warhammer: Dark Omen
- Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat
Warhammer 40,000 games:
- Warhammer 40,000
- Epic 40,000
- Necromunda
- Inquisitor
- Dark Heresy
- Space Hulk
The license for creating a MMORPG using the Warhammer Fantasy IP is currently held by EA Mythic; they are using it to create Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
The license for creating a MMORPG using the Warhammer 40,000 IP is currently held by THQ; a game is being developed by Vigil games.
The license for creating other types of video/computer games using the Warhammer Fantasy IP is currently held by Namco.