The developer and publisher of *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2* have firmly stated they are not aiming to transform the game into a "full live service" following backlash from the community over events perceived to promote "FOMO," or the fear of missing out. This tactic, commonly employed by live service game developers, pushes players to engage quickly and spend on time-limited virtual items, suggesting that missing the window means missing out forever.
Such practices have been criticized for fostering an unhealthy dynamic between video games and their communities. A 2021 study commissioned by the UK's GambleAware charity highlighted how games often use "psychological nudges" to encourage purchases of loot boxes, citing the fear of missing out on limited-time items or special deals as a key motivator. While *Space Marine 2* does not feature loot boxes, it introduced community events aimed at unlocking exclusive cosmetics, which sparked the negative reactions and led some to label it a live service game.
In response to the feedback, Space Marine 2's publisher, Focus Entertainment, and developer, Saber Interactive, acknowledged the "cold feedback" regarding these community events. They assured the community that the items available through these events would be re-released later for everyone, emphasizing that they do not intend to make *Space Marine 2* a full live service game. Instead, the events are designed to allow dedicated players to unlock items in advance, without causing frustration or stress.
They also apologized for the cumbersome process of unlocking items and are working on simplifying it to enhance the player experience. To show their commitment, Focus Entertainment is offering the coveted 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 ends on March 3, and was previously only available to those who achieved victories with each of six classes in Operations Mode before the deadline.
Currently, *Space Marine 2* players are eagerly awaiting the 7.0 update, which promises a new weapon, a new Operations map, and PvE Prestige Ranks. Last month, Focus and Saber addressed the community's concerns about content scarcity and outlined their roadmap for the game's future.
*Space Marine 2* achieved a record-breaking launch late last year, selling 5 million copies and becoming the fastest-selling Warhammer video game ever.
