SE2 VS2.3 — Turbines, warheads, wheels and LCD screens in May 2026

VS2.3 takes shape — two weeks of dense Dev Diaries

On May 7 and 14, 2026, Keen Software House published two Dev Diaries dedicated to VS2.3, the next major update for Space Engineers 2. The overall picture is clear: VS2.3 will be called 'Survival Extensions' and focuses on survival, exploration and advanced construction mechanics. Wheels, wind turbines, warheads, LCD screens and hangar doors are all in active development. Space Engineers 2 is available in Early Access Alpha at $40.99 CAD on Steam.

The roadmap beyond VS2.3 is also confirmed: VS3 will bring volumetric water and a new Byblos planet, while VS4 will introduce NPCs and 4-player co-op. Keen targets end of Alpha no earlier than late 2027. Space Engineers 1 players who own SE2 received the free Almagest Engineer Plushie block when SE1's Economy 2 Update launched in early May.

Wind turbines and warheads — energy and destruction

Wind turbines tested in internal playtest give strong 'engineering vibes' according to Marek Rosa. Their physical behavior is realistic: the turbine spins freely with ambient wind and slows then stops if an obstacle blocks airflow. Direct strategic consequence: your turbine's orientation and positioning relative to your buildings will impact energy output.

The explosion system introduces two warhead types designed by Abdullah Natour. The large version features visible locking mechanisms that move apart when armed and a spinning core that changes color. The small version is compact, suitable for any placement type. Both were modeled in Blender with custom tools and rendered in Marmoset. The goal: powerful explosions with clear visual feedback, without excess.

Wheels and hangar doors — advanced physics and modular design

VS2.3 wheels aren't just 'adding a block'. The physics team implements a custom friction estimator instead of Havok's default, with hybrid colliders capable of behaving as either a cylinder or sphere depending on terrain (ramps, slopes, uneven surfaces). Marek directly asked the community: how can rovers be viable compared to flying vessels? The answer will define the final balance.

Hangar doors were designed by artist Andre Lopes to avoid visually strange gaps — each piece fits like a puzzle when closing. Main innovation: players can rotate each individual block 90 degrees to create vertical pattern variations. A visual locking mechanism between door and base adds a realistic industrial look.

LCD screens, grass clustering and NPCs in planning

LCD screens in internal builds support SE1 formatting options plus a markdown subset (headers, bold, italics), localized strings, customizable background colors and fonts. The SE2 Control Seat has eight individual screen slots with configurable resolutions (512×512 or 1024×512). Major QoL addition: a block's inventory can be accessed directly through its LCD screen, no conveyor port hunt required.

Mirko Bartolini's new grass clustering technology distributes grass more naturally via splat masks controlling spawn probability and scale per type. Result: better control over sparse tufts in arid biomes and more credible landscapes. Marek himself admits not knowing why grass matters so much in a space engineering game — but if you can do better, might as well. Detailed planning for VS4 NPCs and 4-player co-op has officially begun.

VS2.3 → VS4 roadmap — what comes next

Hinges for VS2.3 are described by Marek as 'something special' — a deliberate tease with no additional details. The Water update (VS3) music is already in production, with ambient tracks that change based on underwater depth. Keen targets an Early Access exit no earlier than late 2027.

Pricing — $40.99 CAD in Early Access

Space Engineers 2 is available at $40.99 CAD on Steam in Early Access Alpha. No separate DLC or paid content is planned during the Early Access phase. The price could increase at full release, as is customary for games that go through this phase.

Community feedback — rovers vs ships, the great debate

The May 14 Dev Diary generated over 38 comments on the rovers vs ships question alone — among the most engaged in weeks. The community is split: some want rovers to have a clear advantage in low-gravity zones and planetary exploration, others fear that a ship capable of flying will always be more practical.

« How will rovers be viable compared to ships? This is a real question we want community input on. »

— Marek Rosa (Dev Diary 14 mai 2026)

Recurring requests include person detection for automatic doors, more varied vegetation per biome, and optional settings for simplified inventory access. Wind turbines generate strong enthusiasm — the community sees them as the return of 'SE1's soul' in the new engine.

La Meute QC verdict

VS2.3 shapes up as the most ambitious update to Space Engineers 2 since its Early Access launch in January 2025. The combination of wheels + turbines + warheads + LCDs massively enriches the game on the survival and exploration side — two axes still missing from earlier versions. Keen communicates transparently about design choices and openly answers gameplay questions, which positively distinguishes SE2 from less well-documented Early Access titles.

Who's it for? Who's not?

• For: SE1 fans who want to see where SE2 is going — progress is fast and well-documented
• For: builders who want more realistic physics and advanced construction mechanics
• For: patient solo/co-op players — VS4 co-op is coming, but not before late 2026 at the earliest
• Not for: those who want a complete game immediately — this is an active Alpha, not a late beta
• Not for: competitive multiplayer players — 4-player co-op is not yet available