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 following a backlash to community events that were perceived as promoting "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out). FOMO is a tactic commonly used in live service games to drive quick engagement and spending on limited-time virtual items, creating a sense that players must act now or miss out permanently.

This practice has been criticized for fostering an unhealthy relationship between video games and their communities. A 2021 study by the UK's GambleAware charity highlighted that many games employ "psychological nudges" to encourage purchases of loot boxes, often leveraging the fear of missing out on limited-time offers. While *Space Marine 2* does not include loot boxes, the introduction of community events to unlock exclusive cosmetics has sparked controversy, leading some to label the game as a "live service."

In response to the backlash, Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive, the game's publisher and developer, acknowledged the negative reception of these events. In a statement, they reassured players that items available during these events would be accessible to everyone at a later date, emphasizing that the intention was to allow dedicated players early access to these items rather than creating stress and frustration. They also apologized for the cumbersome process of unlocking these items and promised to simplify it in the future.

To address immediate concerns, 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 concludes on March 3 and previously required players to achieve victories with each of six classes in Operations Mode by the deadline.

Players are currently anticipating the 7.0 update for *Space Marine 2*, which will introduce a new weapon, a new Operations map, and PvE Prestige Ranks. Last month, Focus and Saber outlined their plans for the game's future content, addressing ongoing concerns about the game's development. *Space Marine 2* has already achieved significant success, with a record-breaking launch and sales exceeding 5 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Warhammer video game to date.