Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Dev Opens Game Up to Modders, Who Now Plan to Add Tau and Necrons and a Whole Lot More — but first... a Fishing Mini-Game?!

Fans of *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2* are buzzing with excitement as developer Saber Interactive has opened up the floodgates for modders by releasing its internal editor, known as the Integration Studio. This move has sparked optimism that the game could enjoy a long-lasting life akin to *Skyrim*, driven by a vibrant community of user-generated content.

In a significant announcement on the Space Marine 2 modding Discord, game director Dmitry Grigorenko heralded this release as “our biggest milestone yet in supporting the modding community.” The Integration Studio, previously used by developers for all aspects of gameplay development, is now available to the public. This tool empowers modders to manipulate everything from level scenarios and game modes to AI behavior, abilities, and even the user interface and HUD elements, streamlining the modding process.

Grigorenko expressed his enthusiasm, 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 playfully shared concept art for a "Fishing With Daddy Calgar" mini-game, hinting at the possibilities now within reach.

To delve deeper into what the modding community has in store, I spoke with Tom, known as Warhammer Workshop, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Space Marine 2’s Astartes Overhaul mod. Having recently introduced a 12-player co-op mod, Tom now has access to a full suite of scripting tools that govern mission dynamics, as well as various game components such as weapons and abilities.

Tom envisions exciting possibilities, such as a roguelite mode where players start with just a combat knife and face escalating challenges, with chances to gain weapons and resources upon defeating enemies. He suggested, “Killing a Carnifex might grant you a Heavy Bolter.” While creating a new cinematic campaign featuring Chaos is on the cards, Tom noted that cutscenes remain challenging without access to the necessary animation tools.

Currently, Tom is working on introducing new factions like the Tau and Necrons, leveraging existing rigs. Meanwhile, the community is eager to take up Grigorenko's challenge and create the "Fishing With Daddy Calgar" mini-game mod.

The response from the Space Marine 2 community has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite the game being well-received and one of the best-selling Warhammer titles, its official content is limited to three factions: Space Marines, Chaos, and the Tyrannids. With the modding tools now available, fans can expand the game's universe themselves, especially with hints of the Necrons in the campaign.

Redditor Mortwight commented, “This is how you keep a game alive for years like Skyrim.” This development is particularly intriguing given Saber Interactive and publisher Focus Entertainment’s recent announcement of *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3*. While some fans worry about the impact on potential DLC for Space Marine 2, both companies have reassured fans of continued support. With the modding editor now in the hands of the community, Space Marine 2 is poised for a vibrant future.