The most anticipated news for Space Marine 2 fans is almost here. The developers confirmed that Update 8 will receive a full breakdown during the Warhammer Skulls 2025 showcase on May 22. This annual broadcast will stream on the official Warhammer Twitch channel and highlight upcoming content for several titles, including Darktide and Mechanicus 2.

The major expectation is a complete reveal of Horde Mode, which has been teased for weeks. A member of the dev team responded to a player asking whether the release date would land in June. The answer was that the reveal will happen during the redacted event, clearly pointing to the Skulls showcase. Alongside the event, deep discounts of up to 90% on various Warhammer titles will appear across digital stores.

Horde Mode Details and Class Progression Confirmed

Horde Mode won’t just bring survival combat—it will also support class and weapon progression. Players can level gear through Horde Mode and retain that progress when switching to Operations Mode. This approach allows for flexible grind options and keeps gear rewards consistent across different play sessions.

One player asked whether this means weapon leveling works directly through PvE. The reply was simple: yes. This creates new reasons to replay content beyond Operations. Another question brought up the Apothecary class, with many players wondering if healing support might join the roster. The community manager stated no such class is currently planned, but the wording left room for future changes.

Integration Studio Unlocks Advanced Modding for PC

Creative Director Dimitri shared major news in the official modding Discord. The Integration Studio, the same tool used by the development team, is now available to the public. Unlike previous setups that required manual edits, this tool simplifies content creation, bug-free scripting, and user-friendly access to gameplay features.

Warhammer Skulls 2025 Showcase Airs Later in May, Promises Updates on Space Marine 2, Darktide, Mechanicus 2, and More
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Players can now modify or create:

  • Level scenarios and blueprints

  • Game modes and combo logic

  • UI/HUD layouts

  • FX and AI scripting

More features are in progress, such as AI director control and support for full campaigns. The developer also joked that a Fishing with Daddy Calgar minigame is now technically possible thanks to the expanded toolset.

Console Users Can Join Modded Lobbies

Though console users cannot create mods directly, they can join modded servers hosted by PC players. This includes modified player counts, enemy waves, and map behaviors. One example given was a 12-player operations lobby, which console players joined without issue.

Server-side support means shared lobbies will now reflect modified rules and setups, even for those on consoles. While this doesn’t mean a full mod browser on Xbox or PlayStation, it opens the door for shared content and broader community interaction.

Blood Angels, White Scars, and Customization Leaks

Several leaks pointed toward Blood Angels customization options coming soon. These could land with or around the release of Update 8. Reports also indicate that the White Scars chapter will arrive in Season 8, with new cosmetic packs as part of the rollout.

These additions come as players continue to request expanded customization slots. The community hopes for more variation in armor, visuals, and playable chapters. These additions would tie in well with the return of long-session content through Horde Mode.

Feedback on Bioor Enemies Sparks Balance Requests

Multiple players voiced frustration over the Bioor enemy type, which can knock players down, deploy mines, and resist many attacks. Some questioned their weak points, while others suggested these enemies require more than solo takedowns.

The consensus from player feedback suggests Bioors need entire squads to focus on them at once. While this might be the intended design, several posts called for hitbox adjustments or damage scaling to improve fairness during high-intensity missions.

Wishlist for Horde Mode

The community’s demand for Horde Mode continues to rise. Many players hope for six-player co-op, especially since the game features six distinct classes. One idea proposes splitting teams into two squads, each guarding a separate point in a tower-defense style format. While this isn’t confirmed, players expressed interest in deployable defenses like turrets and barbed wire to shake up gameplay variety.

Developers already showed commitment to player input, and based on the evolving design, many believe these features could arrive in future seasons or follow-up content.