Games Workshop has made Warhammer 40K Gladius Relics of War free on Steam as part of the Warhammer Skulls 2026 event. Players can claim the turn-based tactics title permanently during the promotion window.
Gladius Relics of War, developed by Slitherine Ltd, is a 4X strategy game where players command various Warhammer 40K factions across procedurally generated planets. The game launched in 2017 and features deep tactical combat paired with empire-building mechanics. It supports single-player campaigns and multiplayer matches across the grimdark universe.
Warhammer Skulls is Games Workshop's annual celebration of the Warhammer 40K franchise. The 2026 edition bundles free content, discounts, and reveals for Games Workshop products across tabletop, video games, and merchandise. Free game giveaways have become a standard part of the event's marketing push, drawing players into the ecosystem.
The timing aligns with Games Workshop's broader strategy to expand Warhammer 40K's digital footprint. Recent years have seen multiple new titles launch, from Dawn of War III to Space Marine 2, widening the range of genres under the 40K banner. Tactics and strategy games like Gladius Relics of War appeal to the hardcore audience that values complex systems and lore depth.
This promotion caps a strong period for Warhammer gaming. Space Marine 2 performed commercially well for Saber Interactive, while the tabletop scene continues generating sustained revenue. Free-to-play giveaways lower the barrier for new players and convert them into potential customers for paid expansions or related Games Workshop products.
Players interested in claiming Gladius Relics of War should act quickly, as promotional windows for free Steam games typically last days