Space Engineers 2’s early access launch is only the first step for developer Keen Software House’s ambitious sequel, who has revealed a roadmap of content that will be added to the game throughout 2025 and beyond.
First releasing as an alpha version focused on its freeform creative mode, giving us our first good look at its refined building mechanics and improve engine, future content will be delivered via what the developer calls vertical slices.
Space Engineers 2 Roadmap
As noted in a Steam post, a vertical slice “is a fully playable portion of a game that showcases specific core features and improvements implemented at production quality, serving as a milestone in the game’s development while more features are added in subsequent slices.”
This approach allows the team to “perfect core features” before it moves on and introduces a new set.
Following its late January 2025 launch, Space Engineers 2’s roadmap continues with vertical slice 1.1 which introduces an in-game workshop connected to Steam Workshop, allowing players to share creations with their peers.
From there, vertical slice 1.2 promises improved mechanics and interface refinements, while 1.5 brings a suite of tools that enable modding.
- VS 1: Creative Mode (January 27, 2025)
- VS 1.1: UGC Steam Workshop
- VS 1.2: Improved mechanics and interface refinements
- VS 1.5: Modding - VRAGE HUB, VRAGE Editor, and other tools
- VS 2: Planets and Survival
- VS 3: Water
- Future VS: Multiplayer, NPCs, story campaign, and more
Space Engineers 2’s roadmap then moves on with vertical slice 2, which sounds like a big one. It allows us to explore planets in the Almagest System, while adding the likes of backpack and projection building, challenges, but also improved progression.
Vertical slice 3 focuses on water, bringing “planetary-scale volumetric water,” including oceans, rivers, and lakes that “transform gameplay.” Boat and submarine enthusiasts will especially be looking forward to this one.
Further in the future, we should get multiplayer, NPCs, the story campaign, and much more.
It is worth noting that Space Engineers 2’s roadmap, which is also available on the game’s website, does not include specific dates for these content drops at the time of writing.
Nonetheless, it’s likely safe to assume they will arrive throughout 2025 and beyond.
Space Engineers 2’s roadmap could also evolve based on shifting development priorities, especially once players start providing feedback on how the sequel plays in their hands.
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