"Space Marine 2 Dev Rejects Live Service Model Amid 'FOMO' Backlash"

The developers and publisher behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have firmly stated that they are not aiming to transform the game into a "full live service" model, following a wave of criticism related to community events that some players felt promoted "FOMO," or the fear of missing out.

FOMO is a common strategy employed by live service game developers to spur quick engagement and spending on virtual goods that are available only for a limited time. The underlying message to players is that if they don't act fast, they'll miss out on these exclusive items forever. This approach has been widely criticized for fostering an unhealthy dynamic between games and their communities. In 2021, research funded by the UK's GambleAware charity highlighted how many games use "psychological nudges," such as FOMO, to encourage purchases of loot boxes.

Although Space Marine 2 does not feature loot boxes, it introduced community events as a means for players to unlock exclusive cosmetics, sparking a backlash and leading some to label the game as a "live service." In response to the negative feedback, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive acknowledged the community's concerns about FOMO. They reassured players that all items offered during these events would be available to everyone at a later date, emphasizing that the events are meant to allow the most dedicated players to access items early, not to cause stress or frustration.

To address the issues with the event system, the developers apologized for any inconvenience and announced they are working on a simpler process to unlock items, aiming for a less restrictive experience. In a gesture of goodwill, Focus Entertainment is offering the highly 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 originally part of the Imperial Vigil community event, which required players to secure a victory with each of six classes in Operations Mode before the event's end date on March 3.

The Space Marine 2 community is eagerly anticipating the upcoming 7.0 update, which will introduce a new weapon, a new Operations map, and PvE Prestige Ranks. Last month, Focus and Saber addressed the community's growing frustration over the lack of content and detailed what players can look forward to in the coming months.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 enjoyed a stellar launch last year, selling 5 million copies and becoming the fastest-selling Warhammer video game to date.