The Warhammer 40,000 community was rocked by the unexpected announcement that development of Space Marine 3 had begun, just six months after the release of Space Marine 2. Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive made the announcement in mid-March, amid ongoing concerns about the content pipeline for Space Marine 2 and its ability to retain players.
In response to these concerns, both companies released a blog post reassuring fans about the future of Space Marine 2. "Mid-March, we announced that Space Marine 3 had begun development and we’re excited to see your enthusiasm, although we hear those of you who fear for Space Marine 2 and its future support," the statement read. They emphasized that the development of Space Marine 3 does not signal the end of support for Space Marine 2. "So let us set the record straight: Space Marine 3 does not mean the end of Space Marine 2's development. Far from it. No teams are shifting over, no one is abandoning the game, and our plans to bring more awesome content to Space Marine 2 remain."
The companies detailed their plans for Space Marine 2, which include the continuation of the year one roadmap and the release of Patch 7 in mid-April. Looking further ahead, Space Marine 2 will introduce a new class, new PvE operations, and new melee weapons. The statement playfully hinted at more surprises, saying, "Trust us, there are surprises even dataminers haven’t found out about :)"
Regarding Space Marine 3, the announcement marks the early stages of a new project that is years away from release. The companies expressed their excitement and gratitude for the community's support. "Many of you were very excited for this project and this makes us incredibly happy and motivated. Thank you for the unwavering support. That being said, we still have a lot to offer to the players with Space Marine 2."
The big reveal for Space Marine 2 includes a new class, with speculation among fans centering on whether it will be an Apothecary, akin to a medic class, or a Librarian, bringing warp-powered space magic into play. Additionally, the introduction of a new melee weapon has sparked interest, with fans particularly enthusiastic about the possibility of seeing the axe from Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 animated episode. This enthusiasm has even led modders to create their own versions.
The decision to move forward with Space Marine 3 follows the strong performance of Space Marine 2. In an interview with IGN shortly after Space Marine 2's launch, Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits discussed the potential for story DLC and hinted at ideas for Space Marine 3. "Our game director Dmitry Grigorenko, he has proposed some story ideas that could either be DLC or a sequel," Willits said. He also suggested that the game could explore new enemy factions and other chapters, indicating a rich future for the franchise.
The community's excitement for Space Marine 3 is palpable, and with continued support for Space Marine 2, fans have much to look forward to in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
