As previously hinted, developer Relic and publisher THQ have just announced plans for Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising. It's the first stand alone expansion to the sci-fi RTS game that was released last February. The new game is due out in spring 2010 and will introduce the Chaos Space Marines as the new playable side in the series.

Chaos Rising will continue the storyline in the original Dawn of War II and you can even use your squad's items, experience points and more to fight the Chaos Marines in the new single player campaign. The level cap has also been raised from 20 to 30 and there will be new multiplayer maps and new units for the three playable sides in the first Dawn of War II game.