Space Marine 2 Devs' April Fool’s Joke Sparks Fan Excitement

April 1 has come and gone, marking the end of another year of video game industry April Fool's Day pranks. However, the gag pulled by the creators of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one that might stick around in fans' memories for a bit longer.

On April 1, Space Marine 2's publisher, Focus Entertainment, announced a new Chaplain class as downloadable content (DLC). "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," Focus declared, likely with a chuckle behind their screens.

This faux DLC was said to introduce the Chaplain as a playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' Every five minutes, the Chaplain would remind his comrades that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and threaten to report them to the Inquisition. The Chaplain also boasted a special ability called Discipline, which supposedly reported any minor deviation from the Codex Astartes, granting a 5% discipline bonus but at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.

The humor in this prank stems from the dynamics between protagonist Titus and Chaplain Quintus in Space Marine 2's campaign. Throughout the game, as Titus fights against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, Chaplain Quintus scrutinizes his every action, searching for signs of heresy despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. Quintus's vigilant nature, akin to a strict school prefect, has made him a meme within the Space Marine community—a fact that this April Fool's Day joke cleverly capitalized on.

The joke resonated so well that some fans expressed a genuine desire for the Chaplain to be added to the game, perhaps not with the exact satirical skill set but as a warrior-priest who upholds the Emperor's veneration. On the Space Marine subreddit, users like ResidentDrama9739 expressed enthusiasm, stating, "This would actually go hard if this was real," sparking discussions on how the Chaplain could be integrated into the game.

Interestingly, Space Marine 2 is indeed set to introduce a new class, though Focus and developer Saber Interactive have kept details under wraps. Speculation among fans leans towards the Apothecary, a class akin to a medic, or the Librarian, which would bring warp-powered space magic into play. The Chaplain's appearance in the April Fool's Day gag has left some wondering if it rules him out as a future addition.

Despite the surprising announcement of Space Marine 3's development, Space Marine 2 continues to evolve. The year one roadmap remains in place, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. In the coming months, players can look forward to the new class, additional PvE operations, and new melee weapons.