Space Marine 2 Dev Clarifies No Live Service, Addresses FOMO Event Backlash

The developers and publishers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have firmly stated that they are not aiming to transform the game into a "full live service" model, despite backlash from the community regarding events perceived as promoting "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out). FOMO is a strategy frequently employed by live service games to drive immediate player engagement and expenditure on time-limited virtual items, suggesting that if players do not acquire them during the promotional period, they will miss out permanently.

This approach is often criticized for fostering an unhealthy dynamic between video games and their player base. In 2021, new research funded by the UK's GambleAware charity highlighted that many games use psychological tactics, including the fear of missing out on limited-time items or special offers, to encourage the purchase of loot boxes. Although Space Marine 2 does not feature loot boxes, it introduced community events as a method to unlock exclusive cosmetics, which sparked a negative reaction and led some to label the game as a live service.

In response to the community's concerns, Space Marine 2's publisher, Focus Entertainment, and developer, Saber Interactive, acknowledged the "cold feedback" received since the introduction of these events. They assured players that all items offered during the events would be made available again in the future for everyone. Their statement emphasized that community events are intended as an early unlock opportunity for dedicated players, not as a source of stress or frustration. They also apologized for any difficulties experienced in unlocking the items and promised to simplify the process to enhance the player experience.

To demonstrate their commitment to the community, Focus Entertainment is offering the much-sought-after emblem-less Mk VIII Errant Helmet for free to all players who link their PROS account to Space Marine 2. This helmet was part of the Imperial Vigil community event, which concludes on March 3 and was previously only accessible to those who achieved a victory with each of the six classes in Operations Mode before the deadline.

As Space Marine 2 players await the upcoming 7.0 update, which will introduce a new weapon, a new Operations map, and PvE Prestige Ranks, Focus and Saber continue to address the community's frustrations over content updates. Last month, they outlined their plans for the game's future developments. Space Marine 2, which enjoyed a record-breaking launch late last year, has sold 5 million copies and became the fastest-selling Warhammer video game to date.