Fans of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 are celebrating a major milestone as the game's developer, Saber Interactive, has opened up its internal editor to the modding community. This move has sparked excitement and speculation that the game could enjoy a prolonged lifespan, similar to the legendary Skyrim, fueled by user-generated content.
Game director Dmitry Grigorenko shared the news on the Space Marine 2 modding Discord, calling it "our biggest milestone yet in supporting the modding community." The release of the official Integration Studio, used by developers for all gameplay development, marks a significant step forward. Modders now have the tools to manipulate level scenarios, game modes, AI behavior, abilities, melee combos, user interfaces, and HUD elements, making mod creation more accessible and efficient.
Grigorenko emphasized the commitment to supporting the modding scene, stating, "Not long ago, I promised we would support the modding scene — and we meant it. Watching this community grow, push boundaries, and create incredible experiences has been both inspiring and humbling. We’re excited to see what you build next — whether it’s a cinematic campaign, wild new game mode, or something we never saw coming."
To kickstart the creative process, Grigorenko humorously released concept art for a "Fishing With Daddy Calgar" mini-game, featuring Marneus Calgar, the leader of the Ultramarines. This playful challenge has set the stage for the first fishing mini-game mod in Space Marine 2.
To explore what the modding community has in store, I spoke with Tom, known as Warhammer Workshop, the creator of the Astartes Overhaul mod for Space Marine 2. After successfully implementing a 12-player co-op mod, Tom now has access to all scripting tools for mission control and game components like weapons and abilities. He envisions the potential for a roguelite mode where players start with just a combat knife and face increasingly challenging enemies, with chances to acquire weapons and health upon defeating foes.
While a new cinematic campaign, such as a Chaos campaign, is feasible, Tom noted that creating cutscenes remains challenging due to limited access to animation tools. However, he is currently working on adding new factions, including the Tau and Necrons, thanks to the availability of compatible rigs.
The Space Marine 2 fanbase has reacted positively to these developments. Despite the game's success and status as one of the best-selling Warhammer video games, it has been limited to three factions: Space Marines, Chaos, and the Tyranids. With the new editor, fans can now expand the game's universe themselves, especially with the teased Necrons faction from the campaign.
Redditor Mortwight commented, "This is how you keep a game alive for years like Skyrim," highlighting the potential for long-term engagement through modding.
This development comes at an interesting time, as Saber Interactive and publisher Focus Entertainment have announced that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3 is in development. While some fans worry about the future of Space Marine 2 DLC, both companies have reassured that they are not abandoning the game. With the modding community now empowered, Space Marine 2 is poised for a vibrant future.
