The announcement of Space Marine 3 development by publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive sent ripples through the Warhammer 40,000 community, especially as it came just six months after the release of Space Marine 2. The timing raised concerns among fans about the future support for Space Marine 2, given the rapid shift to a new project.
In response to these concerns, both companies issued a reassuring statement in a new blog post. They emphasized their commitment to Space Marine 2, stating, "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." They clarified that the development of Space Marine 3 does not signal the end of Space Marine 2's lifecycle. "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 outlined their plans for Space Marine 2, which include sticking to the year one roadmap and the imminent release of Patch 7 in mid-April. They also teased upcoming content, including a new class and new PvE operations and melee weapons. "Trust us, there are surprises even dataminers haven’t found out about :)" they added, hinting at more to come.
The statement also addressed the new project, noting that Space Marine 3 is in its early stages and years away from release. They expressed gratitude for the community's excitement and support, saying, "Many of you were very excited for this project and this makes us incredibly happy and motivated. Thank you for the unwavering support."
The highlight of the announcement for Space Marine 2 was the introduction of a new class, speculated to be either the Apothecary or the Librarian, the latter potentially bringing warp-powered abilities to the game. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the new melee weapon, with some hoping for the inclusion of the iconic axe from Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 animated episode, a feature modders have already implemented.
The decision to move forward with Space Marine 3 aligns with the success of Space Marine 2. In an interview with IGN following the launch of Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits hinted at the possibility of story DLC and mentioned that ideas for Space Marine 3 were already being discussed. "Our game director Dmitry Grigorenko, he has proposed some story ideas that could either be DLC or a sequel," Willits stated, suggesting a continuation of the narrative and the introduction of new enemy factions.
This development cycle underscores the commitment of Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, promising continued support for Space Marine 2 while laying the groundwork for an exciting future with Space Marine 3.
