The announcement of the development of Space Marine 3 sent ripples of excitement and concern throughout the Warhammer 40,000 community. Just six months after the release of Space Marine 2, publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive revealed their plans for the third installment in mid-March. This news came amidst ongoing discussions about the future content and support for Space Marine 2.
In a recent blog post, both companies addressed these concerns head-on, reassuring fans that Space Marine 2 would continue to receive robust support. They emphasized that the development of Space Marine 3 would not detract from their commitment to 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 clarified that no development teams would be shifted from Space Marine 2 to the new project, and that their plans for additional content for Space Marine 2 remained intact.
The roadmap for Space Marine 2 includes the release of Patch 7 in mid-April, and exciting additions in the coming months such as a new class, new PvE operations, and new melee weapons. The companies teased, "Trust us, there are surprises even dataminers haven’t found out about :)." They also highlighted that Space Marine 3 is still years away from release, marking the beginning of a new project rather than the end of support for Space Marine 2.
The announcement of a new class for Space Marine 2 has sparked speculation among fans. Many believe it could be the Apothecary, a class akin to a medic in the Space Marines' ranks, while others hope for the Librarian, which would introduce warp-powered space magic into the gameplay. As for the new melee weapon, fans have expressed a desire to see the iconic axe from Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 animated episode, a wish that modders have already begun to fulfill.
The decision to move forward with Space Marine 3 comes on the heels of Space Marine 2's successful launch. In an interview with IGN, Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits hinted at the potential for story DLC and shared that ideas for Space Marine 3 were already in discussion. He mentioned that game director Dmitry Grigorenko had proposed story ideas that could serve as either DLC or a sequel, suggesting a continuation of the narrative and the introduction of new enemy factions.
The Warhammer 40,000 community remains eager to see what the future holds for both Space Marine 2 and the upcoming Space Marine 3, with the promise of more content and new developments keeping the excitement alive.
