Warhammer RPG History

This is real-life history of Warhammer RPG and also other products, sites and companies connected to the Warhammer fiction.
Wikipedia: Bibliography of WFRP Publications
Wikipedia: List of Warhammer Fantasy novels
Wikipedia: List of Games Workshop video games.
Wikipedia: Warhammer Fantasy Battle
Wikipedia: Age of Sigmar


1975 (pre-Warhammer)
  • John Peake, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone found Games Workshop (GW).
1977 (pre-Warhammer)
  • White Dwarf magazine starts.
1982 (pre-Warhammer)
  • Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, co-founders of GW, create Fighting Fantasy series. First novel is called The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and published by Puffin.
1983 (pre-WFRP1)
  • Warhammer Fantasy Battle (WFB) miniature tabletop wargame is published by GW.
  • Talisman adventure board game is published by GW.
1984 (pre-WFRP1)
  • WFB 2nd Edition.
1985 (pre-WFRP1)
  • Talisman 2nd Edition.
  • Talisman Computer Game is published to ZX Spectrum.
1986 (WFRP1)
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP1) is published by UK-based GW. WFRP is an extension of its popular tabletop miniature game WFB.
  • The Tragedy of McDeath WFB Campaign is published by GW. It happens in the islands of Albion.
1987 (WFRP1)
  • WFB 3rd Edition.
  • Blood Bowl fantasy football board game is published by Specialist Games division of GW.
1988 (WFRP1)
  • The Enemy Within (TEW) campaign for WFRP is published first time (final episode comes next year) by GW.
  • Blood Bowl 2nd Edition.
  • 100th issue of White Dwarf magazine.
1989 (WFRP1)
  • WFRP is turned over to Flame Publications, a spin-off division of GW focused exclusively on roleplaying.
  • HeroQuest adventure board game based on the Warhammer Fantasy is published by Milton Bradley and GW.
1990 (WFRP1)
  • "Flame Publications Years".
  • The Doomstones campaign for WFRP is published first time (final episode, Hearth of Chaos, doesn't come until 2001) by Flame Publications.
1991 (WFRP1)
  • "Flame Publications Years".
  • Advanced HeroQuest adventure board game is published by GW.
  • HeroQuest video game is published by Gremlin Graphics.
1992 (WFRP1)
  • Flame Publications in ceased because financial problems. Beginning of the "The Dark Years".
  • WFB 4th Edition.
1993 (WFRP1)
  • "The Dark Years".
  • Man O' War tabletop wargame is published by GW.
1994 (WFRP1)
  • "The Dark Years".
  • Fan-sites continue to publish material and adapt the WFB material.
  • Blood Bowl 3rd Edition.
  • Talisman 3rd Edition.
  • The Citadel Journal Issue 1.
1995 (WFRP1 revised)
  • Hogshead Publishing receives the license to publish new and reprinted WFRP material. Begining of the "Hogshead Years".
  •  Revised WFRP is published by Hogshead Publishing. Rulebook basicly remains the same, with only few real changes.
  • Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat video game is published by Mindscape.
  • Blood Bowl video game is published by MicroLeague.
  • Warhammer Quest adventure board game is published by GW.
1996 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • WFRP independent fan-magazine Warpstone starts. Founded by John Foody and John Keane.
  • Warpstone Issue 1.
  • Warpstone Issue 2.
  • Warpstone Issue 3.
  • WFB 5th Edition.
  • 200th issue of White Dwarf magazine. Largest yet and has new Warhammer rules for the "Grombrindal the White Dwarf".
  • 10th anniversary of the WFRP.
  • Internet Blood Bowl League OLBBL (Online Blood Bowl League) is started.
1997 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • Warpstone Issue 4.
  • Warpstone Issue 5.
  • Warpstone Issue 6.
  • Warpstone Issue 7.
  • Black Library is founded. It first starts to publish INFERNO! magazine and later publish novels and audiobooks (also art books, background books and graphical novels) for Warhammer.
1998 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • Warhammer: Dark Omen video game is published by Electronic Arts.
  • The Bergsburg Project starts. Fan-project to develop a city of the Empire online.
  • Mordheim miniature tabletop skirmish game is published by GW.
  • Warpstone Issue 8.
  • Warpstone Issue 9.
1999 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • 229th issue of White Dwarf magazine. The infamous Black Gobbo takes over.
  • Warpstone Issue 10.
  • Warpstone Issue 11.
2000 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • Warmaster tabletop wargame is published by GW.
  • WFB 6th Edition.
  • 25th anniversary of the GW.
  • Warpstone Issue 12.
  • Warpstone Issue 13.
  • Warpstone Issue 14.
2001 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • The Dark Shadows (Albion) WFB Campaign is published by GW.
  • Blood Bowl 4th Edition rules (correction titled 4th Edition Gold).
  • Strike to Stun web-site & forum for WFRP and Mordheim is found.
  • Warpstone Issue 15.
  • Warpstone Issue 16.
  • Warpstone Issue 17.
2002 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "Hogshead Years".
  • Hogshead owner James Wallis sells his business and returns the WFRP license to GW. Future of WFRP is again in the dark...
  • Warpstone Issue 18.
  • Warpstone Issue 19.
  • The Citadel Journal Issue 50. The final issue?
2003 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "The Dark Years again".
  • Fan-sites continue to publish material and adapt the WFB material.
  • WarCry CCG about Warhammer Fantasy is published by Sabertooth Games.
  • Warpstone Issue 20.
2004 (WFRP1 revised)
  • "The Dark Years again".
  • Storm of Chaos WFB Campaign published by GW. This event advances the Warhammer Timeline from 2512 to 2522.
  • GW announces that WFRP line is once again published. Black Industries (BI), a division of GWs Black Library publishing arm, will oversee the publishing and distribution of a new second edition of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, designed by Green Ronin Publishing. This is a start of massive playtesting. So, there is light again for the WFRP.
  • 300th issue of White Dwarf magazine.
  • Warpstone Issue 21.
  • Warpstone Issue 22.
2005 (WFRP2)
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition is published. Beginning of the "BI/Green Ronin Years".
  • Conquest of the New World / Lustria WFB Campaign published by GW.
  • Paths of the Damned (PotD) campaign for WFRP is published (final episode comes next year) by BI.
  • French fanzine Le Grimoire stops publishing Warhammer material.
  • Liber Fanatica is found.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume I.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume II.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume III.
  • Warpstone Issue 23.
  • Warpstone Issue 24.
2006 (WFRP2)
  • "BI/Green Ronin Years".
  • Warhammer: Mark of Chaos video game is published by Namco Bandai Games.
  • Warhammer: Battle of Atluma video game is published by Namco Bandai Games.
  • WFB 7th Edition.
  • Blood Bowl 5th Edition.
  • 30th anniversary of the GW.
  • 20th anniversary of the WFRP.
  • Warpstone Issue 25.
  • Warpstone Issue 26.
2007 (WFRP2)
  • "BI/Green Ronin Years".
  • Huge amounts of new fan material is published again based for the new edition.
  • Nemesis Crown WFB Campaign is published by GW.
  • 30th anniversary of the White Dwarf magazine.
  • Talisman 4th Edition published by BI.
  • 25th anniversary of the Fighting Fantasy books now published by Wizards Books.
  • Warpstone Issue 27.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume IV.
2008 (WFRP2)
  • "Transition Year". Everything changes again.
  • 25th Anniversary of Warhammer.
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Dark Heresy is published by BI.
  • GW announces that BI will no longer publish WFRP once the current production slate is complete. But soon Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) announced that they have gained license to publish WFRP line. Beginning of the "FFG Years".
  • The Thousand Thrones (TTT) campaign for WFRP is published by FFG. Fan created expansions are build for many years.
  • Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning MMORPG (WAR) video game is published by Mythic Entertainment.
  • Talisman 4th Edition Revised Version is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer: Battle March video game is published by Namco Bandai Games.
  • Warpstone Issue 28.
2009 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years".
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Rogue Trader is published by FFG.
  • New Careers are added to the WAR: Choppa (Orcs, Destruction), Dark Guard (Dark Elves, Destruction), Knight of the Blazing Sun (Empire, Order) and Slayer (Dwarfs, Order).
  • Chaos in the Old World boardgame about Warhammer Fantasy is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer:Invasion CCG about Warhammer Fantasy is published by FFG.
  • New Blood Bowl video game is published by Cyanide.
  • A Ratcatcher's Tale RPG about Warhammer Fantasy is announced by FFG. But this seems to be just hoax, that will be followed by the actual came, which is WFRP3.
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd Edition is published by FFG. System is changed and the WFRP3 version will be in a package containing cards and customized dices.
  • WFRP2 official line ends 04/12/2009 and official forum and site disappears.
  • Warpstone Issue 29.
2010 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years".
  • WFB 8th Edition
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Deathwatch (Space Marines) is published by FFG.
  • Blood Bowl Legendary Edition video game is published by Cyanide.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume VII.
  • Tilea: Spears of the Maiden fan-based sourcebook is published by Liber Fanatica.
2011 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years".
  • WFRP3 rules come now in new format. Guide-books will feature now also rules without dice, sheets, tokens, cards...etc. And then Vaults will feature all those pieces if you want them also.
  • Blood Bowl Team Manager - The Card Game is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Black Crusade (Chaos) is published by FFG.
  • Dreadfleet is published by GW.
  • Storm of Magic expansion for WFB published by GW.
  • Tamurkhan - The Throne of Chaos expansion for WFB published by the Forge World. Mentioned to happen in the official timeline in 2509-2511.
  • 25th anniversary of the WFRP.
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume VIII.
2012 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years".
  • "Print on Demand Expansions for WFRP" started by FFG.
  • Defenders of the Forest fan-based Wood Elf sourcebook is published by Liber Fanatica (part of The Elven Project).
  • Liber Fanatica - Volume IX.
  • The new Enemy Within (TEWv2) campaign for WFRP is published by FFG.
  • Monstrous Arcanum expansion for WFB published by the Forge World.
  • ZWEIHÄNDER - A Grim and Perilous RPG, fan-based full RPG system is created and the project starts. Originally the maker of this game was inspibrown to build WFRP2.5 rules - these rules were called "Project Corehammer". But it became something much bigger - entire new unique gaming system inspibrown by Warhammer.
2013 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years".
  • Diskwars, A Tactical Battle Game, is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer40K:Relic, A board game of heroic adventure, is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Dark Heresy 2nd Edition is published by FFG.
  • Warhammer40K RPG:Only War is published by FFG.
  • HeroQuest 25th Anniversary adventure board game based originally on the Warhammer Fantasy is published by Gamezone Miniatures as Kickstarter -project.
  • Warhammer Online game shutdown on December 18th (UTC -05:00).
2014 (WFRP3)
  • "FFG Years". Official WFRP-line has been very quiet and there are alot of speculations about the future of the line (maybe new edition?).
  • Warhammer40K:Conquest, The card game, is published by FFG.
  • WFRP3 official line ends 12th August 2014.
  • Sigmar's Blood WFB Campaign published by GW. Prequel to The End Times WFB Campaign.
  • The End Times WFB Campaign published by GW starts. Every part will come with campaign sourcebook (two books) and with novel. Also various other novels will happen side-by-side with the events. Part I: The Return of Nagash, Part II: Glottkin, Part III:Khaine.
  • Warpstone Issue 30 - The Final Issue.
2015
  • "The Dark Years again". There are some speculations about the possibility of WFRP4. But The End Times WFB Campaing is shaking and changing the Warhammer World so radically causing huge amount of speculation about the future of entire line. After The End Times the old Warhammer world is destroyed and there is a new beginning (more below).
  • The End Times WFB Campaign continues. Every part will come with campaign sourcebook (two books) and with novel. Also various other novels will happen side-by-side with the events. Part IV: Thanquol, Part V: Archaon.
  • Warhammer: The End Times - Vermintide video game is published by Fatshark.
  • Mordheim - City of the Damned video game is published by Rogue Factor.
  • Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game adventure card game is published by Fantasy Flight Games.
  • Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. As The End Times end and the Warhammer world (the Old World) is destroyed there is a new beginning (or just reboot). New age, new world(s)/realms, new games, new novels, new logo.
  • The Realmgate Wars: Quest for Ghal Maraz WFB Campaign published by GW.
2016
  • "The Dark Years again".
  • Warhammer Quest video game is published by Rodeo Games.
  • Total War: WARHAMMER video game is published by Creative Assembly and Sega.
  • ZWEIHÄNDER - A Grim & Perilous RPG, fan-based full RPG system is ready and enters Kickstarter collecting amazing amount and breaking all the goals.
  • Man O' War: Corsair video game is published by Evil Twin Artwork.
  • Blood Bowl fantasy football board game new edition is published by GW.
  • 30th anniversary of the WFRP.
2017
  • "New Hope".
  • As the WFRP license is probably on the market again, there are rumors that GW is offering both classical Warhammer RPG license and Age of Sigmar RPG license.
  • ZWEIHÄNDER - A Grim & Perilous RPG, fan-based full RPG system final version is now ready.
  • Cubicle 7 Entertainment (C7) announced that they have gained license to publish Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Age of Sigmar Roleplaying Game lines. Beginning of the "C7 Years".
  • Cubicle 7 Entertainment (C7) publishes WFRP2 material and first time WFRP1 Core Rulebook and original TEW first two parts as PDF.
  • Total War: WARHAMMER II video game is published by Creative Assembly and Sega.
  • 40th anniversary of the White Dwarf magazine.
2018 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • Cubicle 7 Entertainment (C7) publishes rest of the WFRP1 original TEW parts and Marienburg: Sold Down the River as PDF.
  • Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Main Gauche - A Grim & Perilous ZWEIHÄNDER RPG supplement enters Kickstarter.
  • Keeper of legendary Strike to Stun Warhammer Forum, Server Goddess, informs that the forum will soon close (this will be next year).
2019 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • One of the most legendary (if not THE legendary) Warhammer Forum Strike to Stun closes after 18 years.
  • Map of Glorious Reikland (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7
  • Warhammer40K Roleplay: WRATH & GLORY is now licensed by Cubicle7. Game is originally created by Ulisses.
  • Rough Nights & Hard Days (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7
  • The Enemy Within Campaign Director's Cut: Vol.1: The Enemy in Shadows & The Enemy in Shadows Companion (WFRP4) are published by Cubicle7
  • Ubersreik Adventures (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7 (originally 6 digital adventures combined to one book).
  • WFRP Gamemaster's Screen (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7
2020 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • The Enemy Within Campaign Director's Cut: Vol.2: The Death on the Reik & Death on the Reik Companion (WFRP4) are published by Cubicle7.
  • The Enemy Within Campaign Director's Cut: Vol.3: Power Behind the Throne & Power Behind the Throne Companion (WFRP4) are published by Cubicle7.
  • Middenheim Map (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Middenheim: City of the White Wolf (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Archives of the Empire: Volume 1 (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
2021 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • Altdorf: Crown of the Empire (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Altdorf Map (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • The Enemy Within Campaign Director's Cut: Vol.4: The Horned Rat & The Horned Rat Companion (WFRP4) are published by Cubicle7.
  • Archives of the Empire: Volume 2 (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • The Enemy Within Campaign Director's Cut: Vol.5: The Empire In Ruins & The Empire In Ruins Companion (WFRP4) are published by Cubicle7.
  • Ubersreik Adventures II (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7 (more digital adventures combined to one book)?
  • The Empire Map (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7
  • 35th anniversary of the WFRP.
2022 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • Elector Counts card game about Warhammer Fantasy is published by Cubicle7
  • The Imperial Zoo (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Total War: WARHAMMER III video game is published by Creative Assembly and Sega.
  • Up In Arms (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Winds of Magic (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Salzenmund - City of Salt and Silver (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Sea of Claws (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Archives of the Empire: Volume 3 (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
2023 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • Lustria (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
2024 (WFRP4)
  • "C7 Years".
  • Tribes and Tribulations (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Reikland Miscellanea (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7.
  • Ubersreik Adventures III (WFRP4) is published by Cubicle7