A key document in the history of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader - White Dwarf Issue 92

Looking at some of the key documents that led to, and developed, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader. In this issue I am looking at White Dwarf Issue 92 which previewed Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader in '87!

This is part of a mini-series on key documents in the history of 40K Rogue Trader. Here, WD 92’s cover has a fantasy themed image (which is very cool) and does not list any 40K content either on the cover or in the contents page. The cover teases that this issue has WFRP, Judge Dredd, RuneQuest, Chainsaw Warrior (a game I know very well, having worked on the digital version and a digital sequel) and the ubiquitous D&D. However, just inside you’ll find…

Here’s that inside teaser page in full:

(Image, the inside cover of White Dwarf 92 - Showing the first public view of the Warhammer 40,000 Imperial eagle logo - another first - image by author from personal collection)

The corner of the teaser depicted a Crimson Fist Space Marine, who would then grace the cover of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader itself!

(Image - the corner of the inside cover of White Dwarf 92 showing a Crimson Fist Space Marine, image by author from personal collection)

So, as noted, this issue was released in August 1987 - but you’ll need to remember that the timelines of production run very much behind as the process of writing, assembling, printing and distributing an issue of White Dwarf was very physical in those pre-interweb days! Very little digital was involved. So in that issue’s Awesome Lies column (pg.6) there is this note, after news items on the first Golden Demon award (I’ve written on this here) and some WFRP and Judge Dredd RPG news, we get:

Dakkadakkadakka

Warhammer 40,000 the SF skirmish rules system, is now going though typesetting, and is scheduled for release in September as a 200-plus page hardback book. You too can join the Space Marines and stomp all over them aliens…

There is an article by Stephen Hand of rules clarifications and extras for Chainsaw Warrior. As noted, a game I know well and love.

(Image - White Dwarf 92 page 28, image by author from personal collection)

Later in the issue we get a bit more 40K-action with two miniatures featured in the ‘Eavy Metal column, this one written by John Blanche:

(Image - Detail from page 66 of White Dwarf 94 showing - middle, right - an Eldar & Squat, called a Stunty. Image by author from personal collection)

I do indeed remember getting this issue and feeling the rush of excitement for the actual release. For that was my Birthday present for 1987 - a book I still own, and treasure, to this day.

What I’m working on now is about what I, as a game developer (or indeed any professional) can learn from the creation of 40K Rogue Trader, as the absolutely bottled lightning with it!

Thanks for reading!

PS. If you want to make yourself some Crimson Fist a-la Rogue Trader era ‘beaky’ Space Marines, the Horus Heresy Age of Darkness miniatures are amazing!

PPS. Also also, there’s some amazing new Space Elf Eldar Aeldari models out now too!

Note! There is more about this project here. The direct chat for this project is here. You can comment here or find me on BlueSky.

Also note! This book project is a personal one and not affiliated with any company that, in my day job, I work with or partner with.