A screenshot from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (2024), Saber Interactive

A handful of activists are attempting to cancel Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 for employing a Russian developer.

A screenshot from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (2024), Focus Entertainment

In the wake of a nearly complete build of the game leaking online, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive issued a statement condemning the leak and encouraging players to avoid it while also thanking many of their fans for their support.

The two companies posted a statement to X, “We are deeply touched by the overwhelming support we’ve received from our community following the leak of an old build of our upcoming game, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Our teams have poured years of hard work, passion, and dedication into creating a game worthy of your hopes and expectations, and it’s disheartening that many of the surprises we worked to keep secret were spoiled. We’re saddened that this build, which will be almost a year old by the time we launch, is how some of our most eager fans will first experience Space Marine 2.”

They continued, “Our unwavering commitment has been to deliver the best possible game for our players. This was the driving force behind our decision to spend more time on development and ensure we deliver the best experience we can.”

Next, they said, “We’re asking everyone to avoid this unfinished build and to not spoil the game for those excited to experience it for the first time at launch. Space Marine 2 will release on September 9, and the best way to support our teams’ hard work is to play the game as they’ve always intended. See you all in a few weeks. For the Emperor!”

In response to this statement a handful of individuals celebrated the leak and seemingly attempted to get a Russian developer who is working on the game fired.

X user GamewayUA wrote, “You have got what you deserve for working with russians from terrorist state!”

GamewayUA on X

Vinnydanger1 also posted, “Ok but what about the controversy behind one of the developers and you guys cancelling beta? That’s not a good sign. Is the ‘unfinished’ build the actual game was going tk be like at launch?”

Vinnydanger1 on X

X user HoFTeR_ shared a number of screenshots of the Russian developer and questioned, “explain what the hell is this man doing in your team? are you supporting his hate speech or what?”

HoFTeR_ on X

This is the latest controversy surrounding the game. Focus and Saber cancelled a planned public beta test for the game in June claiming they were focusing on optimization and polishing ahead of the September release date.

Focus Entertainment had previously announced the game would receive a Beta Test back in August 2023 when it revealed gameplay.

However, they announced in an update on the game’s Steam forums that the Beta test would no longer be happening.

The companies stated, “Space Marine 2 is almost ready. We are now entirely focused on optimization, polish and fixing remaining issues ahead of launch on September 9. This means we will not run a public online beta, as it would take the development teams away from preparing for the full launch, and our priority is to ensure the best possible experience at release.”

While they will not be running the Beta anymore, they did promise that individuals who signed up for it will now receive a Bolt Pistol skin, “We know this is disappointing news for some of you. As a thank you to those interested in participating, players who registered via the online signup before June 28, 2024, midnight Paris Time, will receive the limited Bolt Pistol skin below.”

Their update concluded, “We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work towards delivering the exceptional game you deserve.”

Porphyr Shield Bolt Pistol skin for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (2024), Saber Interactive

The two companies have also sent mixed signals regarding microtransactions. In a blog post in May, the companies stated, “We want Space Marine 2 to be an experience tailor-crafted for the players. Hence, we’re happy to confirm that there aren’t any microtransactions in Space Marine 2. No in-game cash shop. All gameplay content and features will be free to all players. Any paid DLCs will be cosmetic only.”

However, Focus Entertainment’s Brand Manager Sylvain Le Roux confirmed to PCGamesN that the game will have a season pass, but it will be “purely cosmetic” and “will be delivered in several phases.”

He also added that “everything you’ll get [in the passes] is purely cosmetic. All of the gameplay additions, whether it’s new missions or new enemies, all of that will come for free to all players.”

A screenshot from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (2024), Focus Entertainment

The game was also originally supposed to be released in winter of 2023, but in November 2023 it was delayed to September 2024.

Focus Entertainment made the announcement in a press release, “The game is now poised to ship in the second half of 2024, to provide the time needed to properly polish the game and to ensure the best possible experience. Focus Entertainment is committed to releasing a game that is of the highest quality and that exceeds the expectations of the countless fans of the franchise.”

A screenshot from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (2024), Focus Entertainment

What do you make of these activists trying to cancel this developer for being Russian?