Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 was a surprisingly big hit in 2024, managing to not only impress the critics but also selling quite a few copies – 4.5 million in just the first month, actually, which is an impressive stat for a double-A title. It was undoubtedly a major success for Saber Interactive.
But what of Games Workshop, the plastic-crack company who licensed the brand? Well, they seem pleased with the game as well.
Games Workshop has issued its last half-yearly-report and as expect the company is bringing in plenty of money thanks to its production of plastic drugs, of which I recently became a user. But what we are interested in is a specific section about licensing revenue. According to the document, licencing revenue went from £18 million (approx. $21.9 million) to £30.1 million (approx. $36.7 million) through the last period. Of that, earned income rose from £5.9 million (approx. $7.2 million) to £26.1 million (approx. $31.8 million). Games Workship has confirmed that 98% of this came from PC and console, and “being mainly from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2”
“During the period, our licensing partners launched two new video games; Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, a third person shooter for PC and console and Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks, a combat racing game.” reads the statement. “Established games continue to contribute, alongside royalty income earned following the success of Space Marine 2. We recognise that successes like these for Warhammer are not a given in the world of video games. Clearly we are looking for the next one. We remain cautious when forecasting royalty income.”
At least Games Workshop seem aware of the fact that successes like Space Marine 2 don’t just happen. While the statement doesn’t outright confirm that a Space Marine 3 is already on the cards, it does seem to hint toward it. Indeed, given how successful Space Marine 2 was, a sequel seems almost guaranteed at this point.
Personally, I loved Space Marine 2, although I am annoyed at myself for not reviewing it at the time. Still, I tried to make up for my lack of service to the Emperor by including it in my list of the best games of 2024.