Its more of a paradigm shift than a need for innovation. There’s a lot more solid bodies to work with. The animation workflow might actually be less of a task because of that. Less dangly bits until you get to Tyranids. Everything is a ranged unit first. Instead of line battles with clashing melee units, siege battles with constricting maps and city scapes should be a lot more common. The real problem I can see them having is adjusting the pace of the units. 40k has things zipping around the field. The battles should be more rts like than the slow and methodical clash of lines.

Whatever they do I’m pretty hyped about this. All the Total War games have been a staple in my library since Medieval 2. Despite all the trash that CA has been up to the past few years they still make good games. I think having a fresh slate with a familiar enough adjacent setting will be good for them.