Saber Interactive's proprietary technology, which powered World War Z and the Tyranids in Space Marine 2, will see further advancements for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3, thanks to development on John Carpenter's Toxic Commando. Tim Willits, Saber's development chief, stated that while Toxic Commando's launch did not meet publisher Focus Entertainment's expectations, it was a commercially successful and profitable project for Saber.
Willits explained that Toxic Commando served as a valuable testbed for evolving Saber's technology. "It was a well-made game that was fun to play, and it shows people what we do really well," he said. "It built on our technology. You'll see more of that in Space Marine 3. You can see the progression with our technology moves."
The improvements are expected to manifest in several areas. Willits hinted at the potential for larger enemy swarms, expanded play areas, and enhanced artificial intelligence. While he stopped short of confirming specific features like vehicles, he noted that the technology's growth allows for greater scope, citing the inclusion of cars in Toxic Commando as an example of the evolving capabilities.
This technological progression is a direct line from World War Z through Space Marine 2 and Toxic Commando to Space Marine 3. Saber Interactive is focused on developing core technology pillars that will support future titles, including Space Marine 3 and the upcoming Jurassic Park game, which utilizes the same engine.
Regarding player count and battle scope, Willits previously indicated that Space Marine 2's limit of three characters was tied to the number of enemies the engine could support. While he did not confirm if Space Marine 3 would increase this limit, the advancing technology suggests the possibility of larger-scale encounters.
Willits expressed enthusiasm for Space Marine 3's development, stating that the team is motivated by the success of Space Marine 2 and its DLC. He assured that no generative AI was used in the development of Space Marine 3, following a previous controversy concerning its use in Saber's Rideshare Simulator. A release window for Space Marine 3 has not yet been announced.