The unexpected announcement that development of Space Marine 3 had begun sent ripples of excitement and concern through the Warhammer 40,000 community, particularly among fans of Space Marine 2. Just six months after the release of Space Marine 2, publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive revealed the new project in mid-March, sparking discussions about the future support of the existing game.

In a recent blog post, both companies addressed these concerns directly, reassuring fans that Space Marine 3's development does not signal the end of Space Marine 2. "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 clarified. They emphasized that no development teams are moving from Space Marine 2 to the new project, and their commitment to bringing more content to Space Marine 2 remains strong.

Space Marine 2's year one roadmap is still on track, with Patch 7 slated for a mid-April release. Looking further ahead, the game will receive a new class, new PvE operations, and new melee weapons. The developers teased, "Trust us, there are surprises even dataminers haven’t found out about :)." This announcement not only marks the beginning of Space Marine 3 but also reinforces the ongoing support for Space Marine 2.

The big news for Space Marine 2 fans is the introduction of a new class, speculated to be either the Apothecary, functioning as a medic, or the Librarian, which would bring warp-powered abilities into play. Additionally, the community is buzzing about the possibility of a new melee weapon, with many hoping for the iconic axe featured in Secret Level’s Warhammer 40,000 animated episode. Modders have already shown their enthusiasm by creating mods that include this weapon.

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 potential story DLC for Space Marine 2 and shared that ideas for Space Marine 3 were already in discussion. "Our game director Dmitry Grigorenko, he has proposed some story ideas that could either be DLC or a sequel," Willits said, suggesting a rich future for the series with new enemy factions and chapters to explore.

This ongoing development and support reflect the dedication of Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive to the Warhammer 40,000 community, ensuring that both current and future fans have much to look forward to in the Space Marine series.