Dawn of War II: Retribution beta opens to preorders Feb. 1

THQ has already offered gamers one reason to preorder its next Warhammer 40,000 strategy sci-fi title, Dawn of War II - Retribution, through Steam: in-game bonuses for the Ork faction. Now, the recently rebranded publisher has given gamers one more reason to prepurchase the game through Valve's online distribution service, one that is likely to amplify the Orks' Waaagh!

Today, THQ announced the details of Retribution's beta-testing phase, which is scheduled to begin for select Dawn of War community members on January 31. One day later, THQ will invite into the beta program anyone who has preordered Retribution through Steam. On February 8, the beta phase will open up to anyone who has bought an installment in the Dawn of War franchise and registered it through Steam.

This Waaaghboss seems pleased…or irritated. Or perhaps indifferent.

THQ notes that there will be no open-registration phase for Retribution's beta, and invites to the testing window will be sent out automatically. The beta period will run through February 24, and THQ plans to release a day-one patch to incorporate balancing data upon the game's full PC release on March 1.

As for what gamers can expect, the beta test will feature all six multiplayer races, including the new Imperial Guard faction. Also included will be all of the new units being introduced with the game, as well as Retribution's multiplayer maps.

For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution.