The Warhammer 40,000 community was rocked by the unexpected announcement of Space Marine 3's development, just six months after the release of Space Marine 2. This news, shared by publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive in mid-March, raised concerns about the future support for Space Marine 2.
In response to these concerns, both companies issued a statement via a blog post, reassuring fans that Space Marine 2 would continue to receive dedicated support. They emphasized that the development of Space Marine 3 would not divert resources away from Space Marine 2, and they remain committed to delivering more exciting content to keep players engaged.
The statement highlighted the ongoing roadmap for Space Marine 2, which includes the upcoming Patch 7, scheduled for mid-April. Additionally, they teased future updates that will introduce a new class, new PvE operations, and new melee weapons. They playfully noted, "Trust us, there are surprises even dataminers haven’t found out about :)." This suggests that there are still hidden gems for players to discover in Space Marine 2.
The announcement of Space Marine 3 was described as the beginning of a new project, which is still years away from release. The companies expressed their gratitude for the community's excitement and support, which has spurred their enthusiasm for the new game.
The big reveal from the statement was the promise of a new class for Space Marine 2, with speculation among fans leaning towards the Apothecary, a role akin to a medic within the Space Marines. However, some hope it might be the Librarian, offering players the chance to wield warp-powered space magic. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the new melee weapon, with many expressing a desire for the iconic axe featured in Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 animated episode, which modders have already introduced to the game.
The decision to greenlight Space Marine 3 was influenced by the success of Space Marine 2. In an interview with IGN following the launch of Space Marine 2, Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer, Tim Willits, discussed the potential for story DLC and hinted at early ideas for Space Marine 3. He mentioned that game director Dmitry Grigorenko had proposed story ideas that could serve as either DLC or a sequel, and teased the inclusion of different factions and chapters in future content.
