Space Engineers 2 News

Space Engineers 2 Dev Diary: October 2, 2025

VS2 is primarily a planetary update - but it will also contain all the foundations for survival systems.
One of them is the new Inventory screen, along with all the essential features. Here you can see moving resources, splitting them using a slidebar, or type in an exact number or amount.

We have the first visuals of Delfos, the brown dwarf at the center of the Almagest system. Everything in this system, even the bright star Almagest, is placed around it. The visuals are still a work in progress as we fine-tune the contrast and brightness, but they already highlight the unique atmosphere and color palette that will set Delfos apart from other celestial bodies.

Colonization map implementation for VS2 is starting to take a more concrete in-game shape.

Planet Map: https://2.spaceengineersgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MapPlanetClouds2.gif

We are fine tuning colors and saturation to give the planets a more vibrant feel. Small touches like this make the terrain, biomes, and skies stand out more, helping each planet feel distinct and alive.

We are also working on voxel material transitions across planetary surfaces. The goal is simple - make sand, soil, rock, and snow biomes blend cleanly at the edges so the terrain reads well both up close and from altitude.
At ground level you should see clear texture detail without hard seams. From far away the same areas should group into readable shapes without turning into noise.
Getting this right takes tuning masks, falloffs, and filters per biome, but it pays off in smoother slopes, cleaner cliff lines, and more natural looking terrain.

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We have the first implementation of tree fractures in SE2. When you cut or crash into a tree it now splits into logical pieces with proper colliders, particles, and temporary debris. The next step is tuning - so trees don’t “explode” all over the place. 🤭

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
When you drill or destroy the roots of a tree, it will fall and break apart. This adds a more natural way to clear forests, and it makes interactions with trees feel more physical and grounded. Again, fine-tuning is in progress.

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We are optimizing the performance of flora, caves, and other planetary features as they load on the planet. Step by step, we are getting closer to a smooth experience when exploring and traveling across different biomes.

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And I will leave you with more images. I can’t believe how quickly the planets are coming together and how beautiful they are starting to look - all thanks to the work of our talented teams.

Full Blog Post: https://blog.marekrosa.org/2025/10/mareks-dev-diary-october-2-2025/

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Space Engineers 2: Planet Kemik, Almagest System

Up next on our roadmap is Vertical Slice 2, which introduces the first phase of the Space Engineers 2 survival experience - the colonization progress and contracts system - along with two brand-new planets to explore: Verdure and Kemik.

This early version of survival will lay the groundwork for all the core systems, including the new Almagest colonization features. We're accelerating development to get it into your hands soon, so you can start exploring - and pouring in your feedback, helping us shape the survival experience.

In the meantime, the planets are coming together beautifully, and we think it’s time for a sneak peek. Here’s your first look at the planet Kemik. Still very much a work in progress, but it gives you a glimpse of Kemik’s harsh and inhospitable terrain - a challenge to explore and tame in the Almagest System.

While you're watching, keep in mind: every inch of the planet is destructible voxel terrain!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

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Space Engineers 2 Dev Diary: September 25, 2025

Some of you are worried about our yellow submarine - thanks for thinking about her, she is fine!
Here is the progress:

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[h3]Improvements from our amazing Graphics Teams[/h3]
We are so proud of our graphics teams. They are always searching for ways to innovate and speed up the workflow. Every improvement in our tools means more time for creativity and less time spent on repetitive tasks. We have already shown you MateriaLinker by Alice Vescio.
And now check out a preview of another tool, created by Asyraf Braza.
To speed up the workflow, he built a custom Blender add-on for faster block fracture processing:

Quick presets for adding custom attributes
One-click mesh separation, auto-renaming, and automatic attributes setup for construction stages
More improvements that we plan to release to our modding community, so you can process block fractures for modded blocks just as fast as we can

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]Planets[/h3]
Work on the Space Engineers 2 planets is at its high peak right now. Our team is fully focused on making planets, terrain, and biomes not just bigger and prettier - but also richer to explore and build on. Every detail matters: from voxel destruction and particle effects, to the look and feel of each biome.

And a funny thing - humans are actually pretty bad at judging the scale of virtual terrain without a clear reference point.

Let me help you – that tiny speck is actually a standing astronaut. Makes the cliff look a bit more impressive, doesn’t it?

We are also working on mining and voxel destruction particles, as well as terrain details. Here you can see particle testing on asteroid, sand, snow, and soil:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Both planets and all the planetary biomes also need its own unique style of rocks:

What planet - and what biome - will be the place for your very first base in Space Engineers 2?

Please join us for Space Engineers Developer Livestream!

🚀 Friday, September 26st, 5 PM UTC
🛰️ Twitch: https://twitch.tv/keencommunitynetwork
🛰️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceEngineers

Image Credits: HARV-E by Engineered Coffee

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Space Engineers 2 Dev Diary: September 18, 2025

[h3]Colonization & Map Design[/h3]
I talked about the colonization meta loop in my previous blog posts, but here is a quick summary:
The heart of Space Engineers 2’s gameplay is the colonization of the Almagest System. The system is divided into regions, each with its own resources, challenges, and opportunities. By completing missions and building infrastructure, you raise your colonization progress – a measure of humanity’s foothold in this new star system.

Every project matters: a power station, a mining outpost, even defending against threats. Everything contributes to colonization. We call this “The New Space Race” – a clear and visible progression path, while still keeping the sandbox freedom that defines Space Engineers.

The story layer is optional. If you want, you can take missions from NPCs (planned for VS4) or the Contract Block and push the narrative forward. Or you can ignore it all and just play pure sandbox. Colonization simply provides a purpose and a sense of progress for those who want it.

Ok, we have the design – so what now?

Now comes the tedious, patient, meticulous programming work needed to make all of this real.

We’re implementing the progression system and the sector map:

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Making GPS markers searchable and intuitive:

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And building the foundation for planet placement and discoveries.

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In the VS2 update you will see the foundations of colonization and mission systems. Once this layer is complete, we’ll make it pretty and have the structure in place to grow and expand colonization into the core experience of Space Engineers 2.

I can’t wait to test this in a real game loop!

[h3]VS2 Planets: Verdure & Kemik[/h3]
By now you have seen a lot of planet Verdure:

But you probably haven’t seen Vallation Station above it:

And here is Kemik – a desolate, Mars-like planet:

Can’t wait to share more next week!

Full blog post: https://blog.marekrosa.org/2025/09/mareks-dev-diary-september-18-2025/

[h3]Sounds of Next Frontier[/h3]
We are excited to announce another music competition, this time as “Sounds of Next Frontier” for Space Engineers 2!

Our past two Music Competitions were some of the most memorable experiences for us, and we can’t wait to hear the musical masterpieces you create this time. Good luck!

Full Details: https://2.spaceengineersgame.com/sounds-of-next-frontier-space-engineers-2-music-competition/

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Please join us for Space Engineers Developer Livestream!

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Announcing the “Sounds of Next Frontier” - Space Engineers 2 Music Competition!

[h3]SUMMARY[/h3]

Submission Start: Monday, September 15, 2025
Deadline for Submissions: Monday, November 24, 2025
Create and submit Space Engineers 2 inspired music tracks for your chance to have them implemented into our games and published on our official youtube channel! Winners will also receive additional prizes in the form of Steam gift cards.
The top 10 entries will be chosen by the KeenSWH team.
The winners will be announced on the “Sounds of Next Frontier” livestream with Karel Antonin (music composer of Space Engineers 1 and 2) on Friday, December 12, 2025

Hello Engineers!

We are excited to announce another music competition, this time as “Sounds of Next Frontier” for Space Engineers 2!

Have you got some musical skill and a passion for the stars? This competition gives you the chance to have a music track inspired by Space Engineers 2 that you create featured in our games and on our official youtube channel. On top of this, winners will also receive steam gift cards.

Your entry could evoke classic vibes of the game, or be a truly original take on it! It could be slower or faster, dramatic or relaxed - any music genre you want.

Our past two Music Competitions were some of the most memorable experiences for us, and we can’t wait to hear the musical masterpieces you create this time. Good luck!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]HOW TO SUBMIT[/h3]

Please submit your entries to [email protected] with the subject line: “Sounds of Next Frontier”
Entries must be submitted in MP3 or WAV format. You can submit your music via Google drive links.
Each contestant can submit as many entries as they like, but each contestant can only win once.
Minimum score length is 60 seconds and the maximum length is 5 minutes.
Submissions that contain “sampled ” or derivative work must include references to the original work.
Do not use any copyrighted material in your music. If you do use copyrighted material in your music track, make sure you have permission to use it or you’re the owner of the copyrighted material.

Make sure that you read the rules carefully, so you know all of the contest guidelines before creating your musical score!

[h3]EVALUATION & RESULTS[/h3]

The period for submissions is beginning Monday, September 15th, 2025 and concluding Monday, November 24, 2025.
During the following period, we will review all submissions to ensure quality and that the rules have been adhered to. From the eligible entries, we will choose 10 winners.
The winners will be announced on Friday, December 12th, 2025.

[h3]PRIZES[/h3]

The winning tracks will be permanently uploaded to our YouTube Channel as individual videos and/or as a compilation.
Winners will receive a EUR 50 Steam gift card.
The winning music tracks will be available in Space Engineers 1 via the sound block and jukebox. (Please note: this is subject to the artistic vision of Keen Software House. Additionally, the authors of the tracks consent to having their submission added to the game when entering this competition.)

[h3]RULES & LEGAL[/h3]

https://2.spaceengineersgame.com/sounds-of-next-frontier-space-engineers-2-music-competition/

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