The series consists of full-length novels, and novel-length compilations of novellas or short stories, written by a number of authors. The shared universe was originally created in 1987 by Games Workshop, parent company of series publisher Black Library, as the campaign setting for the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniatures wargame and in 2006 Black Library began publishing The Horus Heresy series. The Horus Heresy is presented as a major chapter of conflict in the Warhammer 40,000 lore: it is caused by a Chaos plot to foil the Emperor by fomenting rebellion and internecine warfare in the expanding Imperium of Man. The Horus Heresy is a dark, far future military space opera that takes place during the Horus Heresy, a cornerstone event of the dystopian science fantasy Warhammer 40,000 universe. 5.2 Other special editions (selections).It is an established, definitive component of Game Workshop's Horus Heresy sub-brand, and authoritative source material for the entire Warhammer 40,000 shared universe and its continuing development. The series has developed into a distinct and successful product line for the Black Library titles have often appeared in bestseller lists, and overall the work has received critical approval despite reservations. The books are published in several media by the Black Library, a Games Workshop division, with the first title released in April 2006 as of July 2014 the work consisted of 30 published volumes, with more in the pipeline. The war is described as a major contributing factor to the game's dystopian environment. The series takes place during the Horus Heresy, a fictional galaxy-spanning civil war occurring 10,000 years prior to the far future setting of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniatures wargame. The Horus Heresy is an ongoing series of science fantasy books written by various authors.