"Space Marine 2 Dev Clarifies: Not Abandoning Game Despite Space Marine 3 Buzz"

The announcement of Space Marine 3's development sent ripples of excitement and concern through the Warhammer 40,000 community, especially given its timing just six months after the release of Space Marine 2. Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive made the announcement in mid-March, 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 3's development does not signal the end of support for 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 no resources are being diverted from Space Marine 2 to the new project, and their commitment to delivering more content remains strong.

Space Marine 2's year one roadmap is still in place, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. Looking ahead, fans can expect a new class, new PvE operations, and new melee weapons to be added to the game. The companies hinted at further surprises that even dataminers haven't uncovered yet, adding an element of anticipation for what's to come.

The new class is a significant addition, with many fans speculating that it could be the Apothecary, a role akin to a medic in Space Marine lore. However, there's also hope that it might be the Librarian class, which would introduce exciting warp-powered abilities to the gameplay. As for the new melee weapon, the community has expressed a desire to see the iconic axe from Secret Level's Warhammer 40,000 animated episode, a wish that some modders have already brought to life.

Space Marine 3's announcement was not entirely unexpected, given the success of its predecessor. In an interview with IGN following Space Marine 2's launch, Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits hinted at the potential for story DLC and shared that ideas for a sequel were already being considered. The campaign of Space Marine 2 sets the stage for a continuation, and IGN has reported on the likely enemy faction to appear in Space Marine 3.

The development of Space Marine 3 is still in its early stages, described as "the genesis of a new project, years away from release." The enthusiasm from the community has been a significant motivator for the team, and they expressed gratitude for the continued support. Meanwhile, they remain committed to enhancing the experience for Space Marine 2 players with a robust lineup of new content.