The official launch of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 yesterday has already significantly impacted the gaming community. The co-op shooter, which has seen an overwhelming response from players, has set impressive new records for the entire Warhammer video game franchise. With over 225,000 concurrent players on Steam, according to reports from SteamDB, Space Marine 2 is a game that is not to be missed.
This achievement has smashed the Warhammer series’s previous record, including its 40K and fantasy games. As noted by PCGamesN, Space Marine 2 peaked at 225,690 concurrent players, surpassing the previous record held by Total War: Warhammer 3, which peaked at 166,754 players. Space Marine 2 has just launched and hasn’t even experienced its first weekend with the general public. With that in mind, the game could see even higher player counts from September 13-15 as more players join and explore the expansive sci-fi universe.
The surge in interest in Space Marine 2 can be partially attributed to the early-access period granted to players who purchased the Gold or Ultra editions of the game. These players could dive into the action a week before the official launch. To ensure that the story’s excitement remained fresh for the wider audience, publisher Focus Entertainment urged these early-access players to avoid revealing spoilers and let others enjoy the game’s narrative firsthand when the game became widely available.
Another factor contributing to the game’s success is its availability across multiple platforms. In addition to its Steam release, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game features cross-play functionality, allowing players on consoles and PC to team up for the campaign, which enhances the overall accessibility and encourages a larger community of players. However, while the cooperative campaign supports cross-play, the competitive player-versus-player (PvP) modes are restricted to separate platforms, meaning PC players and console players will face off within their respective ecosystems. This separation of PvP ensures balanced competition and prevents disparities in controls and performance across different systems.
The incredible numbers posted by Space Marine 2 are a testament to the enduring popularity of the Warhammer franchise and the excitement surrounding this release. As the first new installment in the Space Marine sub-series in over a decade, the game’s appeal stretches beyond just longtime Warhammer fans. The combination of high-energy co-op gameplay, immersive storytelling, and widespread platform availability has helped Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 reach a broader audience than ever before.
As Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 continues to gain traction, particularly over its first weekend with the general public, the gaming community is abuzz with anticipation. It will be fascinating to see how the player count evolves and if Space Marine 2 sets even more records for the franchise.