Dev says Space Marine 2’s popularity fuels Warhammer 40K misconceptions

Space Marine 2 has been a major success, introducing a wave of new players to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. But according to developer Saber Interactive, that popularity has also led to some widespread misconceptions.

Speaking to IGN at Gamescom 2025, Saber’s head of creative, Tim Willits, explained that many newcomers now associate the entirety of Warhammer 40K’s factions with what’s shown in the game. “A lot of people now think the Thousand Sons are the only Chaos faction,” he said. “They’re actually just a small part of it—but that’s what players fought in the game, so it stuck.”

In Space Marine 2, players take on the role of Ultramarines, one of the most iconic Space Marine chapters, as they battle the Tyranids and Thousand Sons. But the Warhammer 40K universe is far broader. The Chaos forces alone include major legions like the Black Legion, Death Guard, World Eaters, and more—none of which appear in the campaign.

Even perceptions of the Space Marines have been skewed. “People think all Space Marines are blue,” Willits joked, referring to the Ultramarines’ signature color.

Despite these misunderstandings, the game's reach has been a net positive. Lieutenant Titus, the game’s protagonist, now has an official tabletop model, and Games Workshop has even announced a wearable Space Marine helmet styled after him. Staff at GW stores have reported a surge in new hobbyists who discovered Warhammer 40K through Space Marine 2.

As for the future, Space Marine 3 has already been confirmed. While Willits wouldn’t spill any details, many fans expect a wider look at the universe—possibly featuring new factions like the Necrons and other Chaos legions.