Fans of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have reason to celebrate as the game's developer, Saber Interactive, has opened the doors to its internal editor, sparking enthusiasm that the game could enjoy a prolonged life similar to that of Skyrim through user-generated content. Game director Dmitry Grigorenko made the announcement on the Space Marine 2 modding Discord, heralding it as a major step forward in supporting the modding community.
Saber Interactive has released the official Integration Studio to the public, which is the very same tool used by the developers for gameplay development. This initial release empowers modders to manipulate everything from level scenarios and game modes to AI behavior, abilities, melee combo logic, and user interface elements, streamlining the modding process for Space Marine 2.
Grigorenko emphasized their commitment to 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 kick things off, he humorously shared concept art for a "Fishing With Daddy Calgar" mini-game, which is now technically feasible with the new tools.
To understand the potential impact of this editor, I spoke with Tom, known as Warhammer Workshop, the creator of the Astartes Overhaul mod for Space Marine 2. Fresh from introducing a 12-player co-op mod, Tom now has access to all scripting tools that govern mission events and game components like weapons and abilities. This capability opens the door to innovative mods such as a roguelite mode, where players could start with just a combat knife and face progressively tougher enemies, potentially earning better weapons like a Heavy Bolter by defeating formidable foes like a Carnifex.
Tom also mentioned the possibility of crafting a new cinematic campaign, though creating cutscenes remains challenging due to the lack of animation tools. He's currently working on adding new factions such as the Tau and Necrons, which the modding community has the necessary assets for. Meanwhile, modders are enthusiastically competing to develop the "Fishing With Daddy Calgar" mini-game that Grigorenko proposed.
The response from Space Marine 2 fans has been overwhelmingly positive. While the game is already celebrated as one of the top-selling Warhammer video games, its official content is somewhat limited to three factions: Space Marines, Chaos, and the Tyrannids. The modding community now has the opportunity to expand the game's universe by introducing new factions like the Necrons, which were hinted at in the campaign.
This development is particularly timely as Saber and publisher Focus Entertainment have announced that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3 is in development. While some fans worry about the future of DLC for Space Marine 2, both companies have reassured that they are not abandoning the game. With modders now wielding the power of the editor, Space Marine 2 is poised to remain vibrant and engaging for years to come.
