The developers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have addressed community concerns regarding recent in-game events perceived as promoting "fear of missing out" (FOMO). These events offered limited-time cosmetic items, prompting criticism that they resembled the practices of live-service games.
FOMO is a common tactic in live-service games, encouraging players to spend money quickly on time-limited virtual items. This practice often faces criticism for fostering an unhealthy player-game relationship. Research, such as a 2021 GambleAware study, highlights the psychological manipulation involved in encouraging loot box purchases through FOMO and limited-time offers. While Space Marine 2 doesn't feature loot boxes, the community events sparked controversy, leading some to label the game as a live-service title.
AnswerSee ResultsIn response, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive acknowledged the negative feedback, stating that the events unintentionally created FOMO. They reassured players that all event items will be made available to everyone later, clarifying their intention wasn't to transform Space Marine 2 into a full live-service game. The goal, they explained, was to offer dedicated players early access to cosmetics, not to cause frustration. They apologized for the flawed implementation and promised a simplified unlocking process.
To mitigate the issue, they are providing the Mk VIII Errant Helmet (previously only obtainable through a challenging community event ending March 3rd) free to all players who link their PROS accounts.
The 7.0 update is anticipated to introduce a new weapon, map, and PvE Prestige Ranks, addressing earlier concerns about content scarcity. Space Marine 2 achieved a record-breaking launch, selling 5 million copies and becoming the fastest-selling Warhammer game ever.
