Owlcat Games is the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the first classic cRPG set in the 41st millennium. If you’ve played a party-based RPG with deep combat and a lot of reading lately, there’s a decent chance it came from this team.
Who they are
Owlcat started as a small group of industry veterans who wanted to make their dream RPGs. They’ve since grown into an international studio headquartered in Cyprus with more than 450 employees across several countries.
The team’s name comes from the owl-cat mascot, and they’re open about being tabletop fans. Staff get together weekly to play games in the office and online, which explains a lot about the kind of RPGs they build.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Rogue Trader is the game that put Owlcat on a lot of Warhammer fans’ radars. It’s a classic cRPG where you play as a Rogue Trader charting the Koronus Expanse, a barely mapped and dangerous corner of Imperial space.
You command a voidship, deal with noble houses and xenos, and try not to get eaten by the warp. The game leans hard into tactical, turn-based combat with cover, positioning, and party synergy.
- Set in the Koronus Expanse, a perilous and little-charted region
- You play as a Rogue Trader commanding a giant voidship
- Turn-based tactical combat with deep party mechanics
- Available on Steam, Epic, GOG, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5
Editions and DLC
Rogue Trader launched with three editions: Core, Deluxe, and Voidfarer. The Deluxe adds a unique void ship, exclusive weapons, a digital artbook, OST, and wallpapers. Just note the artbook, OST, and wallpapers aren’t available on consoles.
The Voidfarer edition includes everything from Deluxe plus a Cherub Pet, a unique Rogue Trader’s Throne, and a season pass.
| Edition | What you get |
|---|---|
| Core | Base game |
| Deluxe | Game, unique void ship, exclusive weapons, digital artbook, OST, wallpapers |
| Voidfarer | Everything in Deluxe plus Cherub Pet, unique throne, season pass |
What else they’ve made
Before Rogue Trader, Owlcat made a name for themselves with the Pathfinder games: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous. Kingmaker was their first isometric party-based RPG, and Wrath of the Righteous followed with a crusade against a demonic invasion.
They’re also working on Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy, an investigation-focused RPG where you play as an Acolyte. A beta has been running, and it’s another dive into the 40k universe from a very different angle.
Other projects and community
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is another upcoming title, a sci-fi action RPG that had a beta available to Founders with certain packs. It shows the studio isn’t only doing Warhammer and Pathfinder.
Owlcat also runs a partner program called Owlmates, and they keep a hall of fame celebrating people who’ve shaped the studio. If you want to follow their news, their site has a newsletter and a press room for media inquiries.
Key facts
- Owlcat Games is headquartered in Cyprus with over 450 employees worldwide.
- They developed Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the first cRPG in the 40k universe.
- Their earlier work includes Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.
- Rogue Trader is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
- Upcoming projects include Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
FAQ
What is Owlcat Games known for?
They’re best known for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader and the Pathfinder RPGs, Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous. They’re also developing Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader the first 40k cRPG?
Yes, Owlcat describes it as the first classic cRPG set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It’s a party-based, turn-based RPG set in the Koronus Expanse.
What’s the difference between Rogue Trader editions?
Core is just the game. Deluxe adds a unique void ship, exclusive weapons, digital artbook, OST, and wallpapers (not on consoles). Voidfarer includes all of Deluxe plus a Cherub Pet, a unique throne, and a season pass.
What other games is Owlcat working on?
They’re developing Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. Both have had beta tests available to certain backers or Founders.