Prague, April 14th, 2025 — Keen Software House has released Vertical Slice 1.2 for Space Engineers 2 on Steam Early Access. The update adds target-based ship controls, undo/redo for the paint gun, better visuals for copy/paste, and an improved jetpack boost. Besides, it features a new off-center third-person camera for clearer views in both character and ship modes, along with other fixes and improvements.
Vertical Slice 1.2 introduces major improvements to piloting, building, and movement in Space Engineers 2, making gameplay more responsive, intuitive, and immersive. A new off-center third-person camera gives players clearer visibility while on foot or piloting ships. The camera can be cycled between right, center, and left using ALT + V, and a reduced minimum distance improves control in tight spaces.
Target-based grid control replaces the old torque-based system, letting ships rotate smoothly toward a target point using mouse input. On-screen indicators show orientation and heading, making precision flight easier, regardless of ship size or mass. The paint gun now supports undo and redo, allowing players to quickly revert or reapply recent color changes. It's a welcome quality-of-life feature for builders and designers.
Partial copy/paste visuals have been improved, making it easier to see which blocks are selected and how they’ll be placed, especially in complex builds and tighter edits. Jetpack 2.0 adds a short boost charge-up, a new charging indicator, and immersive effects like camera shake and updated sounds. Movement now feels more powerful and responsive.
Additionally, Vertical Slice 1.2 includes a variety of fixes and refinements across the game. The full list of changes can be found in the official changelog.
About the game:
Space Engineers 2 is an open-world sandbox game where engineering meets exploration, and survival in the vast expanse of space. Become a pioneer in the distant Almagest system, an uncharted world full of endless possibilities for creativity and discovery. Build everything from starships to space stations as you carve your own path in this highly anticipated next chapter of the Space Engineers series!
Roadmap:
Space Engineers 2 is rapidly evolving with newly introduced weekly updates. Each update brings fresh blocks, expanding engineers' possibilities. Down the line, players can look forward to advanced modding tools via the VRAGE HUB, along with explorable planets, survival mode, volumetric water, multiplayer, NPCs, and a story campaign.
Space Engineers 2 is available on Steam Early Access, alongside the Pioneer Edition, which includes the game's soundtrack, exclusive wallpapers and behind-the-scenes materials.
The full press kit can be found here or at keenswh.com
About Keen Software House:
Started by Marek Rosa in 2010, Keen Software House is an independent game development studio based in Prague, known for its best-selling Space Engineers, which has sold over 5 million copies. With the fourth-largest Workshop on Steam, it offers over 500K mods, ships, stations, worlds, and more. The studio recently launched Space Engineers 2 in Early Access, aiming to build on its legacy with even greater creative possibilities. Keen Software House strives to deliver immersive worlds that celebrate science and encourage creativity, all powered by the proprietary VRAGE3 engine. Featuring advanced voxel and volumetric technologies, VRAGE3 enables unparalleled physics-based interactions, expansive sandbox environments, and dynamic gameplay. For more information, visit www.keenswh.com.