Space Marine 2's public beta test is canceled so developers can focus on "optimizing, polishing, and fixing remaining issues."

Saber Interactive has canceled a planned public beta test for upcoming shooter Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, saying it wants to remain focused on “preparing for full launch.”

Registration for the Space Marine 2 beta first opened in August 2023, but that plan was disrupted by the extended delay that pushed the game’s launch from a winter of 2023 to sometime in the latter half of 2024. The announcement of a new December 2023 release date included another invitation to sign up for the test, which was supposed to be playable in co-op mode. And for now, at least, you can still sign up for it on the Focus Test Zone website. You just won’t be able to play it.

“Space Marine 2 is almost ready,” the developers wrote on Steam. “We are now fully focused on optimizing, polishing, and fixing any remaining issues before launch on September 9th. This means we will not be launching a public live beta, as this would prevent the development teams from preparing for the full launch and our priority is to ensure the best possible experience at release.”

To make up for this “disappointing news”, everyone who signed up for the beta before midnight Paris time on June 28th (which has already passed, so if you’re not already there, I’m afraid you’re missing out) will receive a limited Bolt Pistol skin when Space Marine 2 goes live.

Image of a porphyry bolt pistol

(Image credit: Saber Interactive)

It’s understandable that Saber and Focus want to keep their focus on the full game rather than having to redirect their efforts to support a beta test, but it’s also understandable that some fans find the cancellation after all this time concerning. Some on Reddit and Steam support the decision, but there’s also an unmistakable wave of suspicion: some believe Saber and Focus Home are trying to cover up an unimpressive game before launch, while others worry that the lack of public online testing will result in widespread server headaches when Space Marine 2 launches.

I tend to take Saber’s word for it: to mix up the sports metaphors, the finish line is in sight and the developers want to keep their eyes on the ball. But the concern is not entirely unfounded. Canceling a planned beta test shortly before launch is a rare thing, and the last time I remember this happening with a high-profile game was in 2017, when BioWare decided that a public technology test for Mass Effect: Andromeda “would not be necessary.”

We’re not going to go over that whole story again, except to point out that less than six months after Andromeda’s release, Electronic Arts decided that the studio that made it wasn’t necessary either.

Interestingly, while there won’t be any public testing, a demo will be available at several stops along Space Marine 2’s North American tour, the next being the Fan Expo in Denver, Colorado, which runs from July 4-7. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is set to launch in full on September 9.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 North American Tour Schedule

(Image credit: Sabre Interactive)