Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has stormed onto Steam, becoming the most popular Warhammer 40,000 title ever with over two million players since its launch. However, amidst the bolter fire and chainsword action, a vexing issue is plaguing players: the dreaded “joining server” bug. This problem is particularly impacting those diving into the game’s co-operative Operations mode, leaving them stranded in matchmaking limbo.
Space Marine 2 launched without private Player vs Environment (PvE) lobbies, a surprising omission that throws players into the public matchmaking pool for the endgame Operations mode. While jumping into a game solo and being paired with two random players generally functions smoothly, and assembling a full trio with friends is mostly reliable, the cracks begin to show when attempting to play with just one friend and relying on matchmaking to fill the third slot. This is where the “joining server” bug rears its head, stubbornly refusing to find a third player and often leaving groups with a less-than-ideal AI bot instead.
For players tackling Operations on higher difficulty levels, essential for unlocking top-tier weapons and perks, a full complement of human players is almost a necessity. Space Marine 2 is renowned for its intense difficulty, throwing hordes of formidable enemies at players. In such demanding scenarios, relying on subpar AI companions simply doesn’t cut it.
Me when joining my friend’s server on Space Marines 2: pic.twitter.com/s2ObHkBOv1
— Jacky (Comms Closed) (@jackpesaurus) September 16, 2024
Frustrated by this matchmaking wall, some players have resorted to unconventional methods to team up with friends. One such workaround involves one player joining a random group and then initiating a vote to kick another player, creating a vacancy for their friend to quickly jump in and fill before another random player is assigned. While functional, this clumsy solution is far from ideal and highlights the core issue with the server joining process.
Even when managing to bypass the initial matchmaking struggles, the “joining server” bug can still rear its head post-mission. Victorious Space Marines returning to the Battle Barge hub after a hard-fought Operation have encountered instances where the game seemingly crashes during the server rejoin process. This can result in rewards being lost, a particularly devastating outcome after a 45-minute mission. The potential for lost progress due to server instability adds another layer of frustration to the co-op experience.
The good news is that publisher Focus Entertainment has acknowledged these server issues. They announced that Space Marine 2’s first update would address server improvements and implement crash fixes. Players are hopeful that this update will specifically target and resolve the frustrating matchmaking problems and the “joining server” bug that is currently hindering the co-operative gameplay experience.
Beyond server stability, other improvements are on the horizon for Space Marine 2. Class matching for co-op missions is expected to be implemented, addressing previous reports of pre-mission standoffs when players found themselves locked out due to duplicate class selections. Furthermore, a roadmap for post-launch seasonal content has been revealed, promising new maps, a horde mode, increased difficulty levels, new weapons, and various gameplay enhancements. Looking further ahead, speculation is already building regarding the potential enemy faction for a hypothetical Space Marine 3, demonstrating the strong player engagement and anticipation for the future of the franchise.
Space Marine 2’s initial success is undeniable, but resolving the “joining server” bug and improving co-op matchmaking are crucial for ensuring long-term player satisfaction and solidifying its position as a leading Warhammer 40,000 game.
