"Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 Modders Enable 12-Player Co-Op, Now Developing Raid Missions"

Since the record-breaking release of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 last year, the modding community has been pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the game. The latest breakthrough from the modders is nothing short of spectacular, and it's turning heads across the gaming world.

Tom, known in the modding scene as Warhammer Workshop and the mastermind behind the Space Marine 2’s excellent Astartes Overhaul, announced the release of a 12-player co-op mode this week. The gameplay footage is impressive, showcasing multiple players tackling a formidable Tyranid Trygon Prime in what feels like an MMO boss fight.

This is a significant leap, considering the vanilla version of Space Marine 2 only supports up to three-player co-op. The modding team, with the backing of developer Saber Interactive, has not only achieved this feat but is also aiming to elevate the game to new heights.

"Honestly, I’m just kind of in awe of Saber’s support for the modding community," Tom shared with IGN. "None of us expected 12-player PvE sessions to be possible this soon — but somehow, here we are. Thanks to their generosity and trust, this huge leap forward is finally here, and it completely changes what we can do."

It's important to note that the current mod is still in the testing phase, yet it's already functioning well. The 12-player co-op significantly alters the game's PvE balance, which is understandable given the increased player count against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons.

With the 12-player co-op now a reality, modders are developing additional features to enhance the experience. Tom revealed to IGN that the team is crafting new modes such as prop hunt, PvP within operations, expansive updates to the upcoming official horde mode, and thrilling raid-style missions featuring formidable bosses that demand teamwork and introduce fresh mechanics.

The modding scene for Space Marine 2 has blossomed into a vibrant community, with around 20,000 enthusiasts active in the main Discord server.

"As both a modder and a player, it’s hard not to be excited," Tom added. "Huge credit as always to the Saber team for not just making all this possible, but continuing to drop amazing content of their own too, without any of the usual predatory battle-pass nonsense we take for granted in modern titles."

Could this 12-player co-op mod hint at what we might see in Space Marine 3? It's an exciting time for Space Marine 2 with the anticipated horde mode, a new class in development, and more Operations maps and weapons on the horizon. Saber recently detailed Patch 8, confirmed some horde mode mechanics, and unveiled the setting for the new map.

Moreover, Space Marine 3 is officially in development, a move that's hardly surprising given the success of its predecessor. The announcement of Space Marine 3 promised "large-scale battles that are even more spectacular," which suggests an increase in the co-op player count might be on the cards.

As we await more details on the sequel, the modding community continues to keep Space Marine 2 fresh and engaging, with this latest mod being a prime example of their innovative work.