The latest dev diary for Space Engineers 2 drops some serious mechanical and visual depth, proving that Keen Software House is still obsessed with the gritty details that make a sandbox sing. From physics-driven wheels to puzzle-fit hangar doors, the May 14 update is all about building a stronger, smarter foundation.
Wheels That Actually Understand Terrain
For VS 2.3, wheels are getting a full physics overhaul. Instead of relying on the default Havok friction estimator, the team is building a custom one from scratch. The goal? Wheels that behave like cylinders or spheres depending on the terrain—ramps, slopes, and uneven surfaces won’t break them. This hybrid collider approach is being tested in Havok demos before release, because in a game where gravity and terrain vary wildly, a solid wheel system is non-negotiable.
“Wheels are a tricky physics feature in a sandbox game where gravity and terrain can vary a lot, so we are taking the time to build a solid foundation.”
Hangar Doors: Puzzle-Fit Design
Art Lead Andre Lopes explains that the new hangar doors are built around three core ideas:
- No weird gaps – every part connects properly, even when placed sideways
- Player freedom – rotate each block 90 degrees for different “vertical lines” patterns
- Industrial realism – a visual locking mechanism between door and base
The result is a single-block door that feels like a mechanical puzzle, not just a wall panel.
LCD Screens Get Serious
LCDs now support Space Engineers 1 formatting plus a simplified markdown subset for headers, bold, and italics. Key upgrades include:
- Localized strings for player-language text
- Customizable background colors, fonts, and project-defined images
- Per-screen aspect ratios and texture resolutions (e.g., 512×512 or 1024×512)
- Up to eight individual screen slots on the SE2 Control Seat
- Direct inventory access through the LCD screen terminal dummy
No more distorted text on mismatched panels.
Grass Clustering: Because Beauty Matters
Yes, grass. The art team is clustering vegetation so it looks absurdly good—even for a space engineering game. As one dev put it: “If you can make something more beautiful, it’s your duty to make it more beautiful.” It’s a small touch, but in a game about building, every pixel counts.
This dev diary shows Space Engineers 2 isn’t just adding blocks—it’s refining how they feel, fit, and function. If the wheels land as well as the hangar doors look, the next update could be a quiet revolution for the sandbox genre.
