Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Faces Backlash Over Mandatory EOS Installation

The release of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 on PC has sparked controversy among fans, who are frustrated by the mandatory inclusion of Epic Online Services (EOS). Discover what the developers have said about this issue and the fan backlash that followed.

Space Marine 2 Mandates EOS for Crossplay, Sparking Fan Discontent

Epic Games Insists on EOS for Multiplayer Titles

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been at the center of a heated debate since its launch. The primary issue? The game requires players to install Epic Online Services (EOS), even for those uninterested in crossplay functionality.

Focus Entertainment, the game’s publisher, recently stated on their website that "linking your Steam and Epic account is not necessary to play the game." However, Epic Games informed Eurogamer that crossplay is a mandatory feature for multiplayer games on the Epic Games Store. This policy appears to enforce the use of EOS in Space Marine 2, even for Steam players who don’t want crossplay.

"Crossplay across all PC storefronts is a requirement for multiplayer games on the Epic Games Store, ensuring players can connect with friends regardless of where they buy their games," an Epic Games spokesperson told Eurogamer. "Developers can choose any solution to meet this requirement, including Epic Online Services, which may involve a secondary installation for features like the Social Overlay (friends list, cross-platform invites, etc.) on PC."

The issue boils down to this: while developers aren’t forced to use EOS, it’s often the easiest way to comply with Epic’s crossplay mandate for the Epic Games Store. EOS offers a free, ready-to-use solution that meets these requirements, making it a popular choice for developers.

Fans Voice Frustration Over Mandatory EOS

While some players appreciate crossplay, others are upset about the mandatory EOS installation. Concerns include fears of "spyware," discomfort with additional software, and a general aversion to the Epic Games launcher.

As a result, Space Marine 2 faced a wave of negative reviews on Steam upon release, with many criticizing the unannounced EOS requirement, despite it being separate from the Epic Games launcher. The lengthy End User License Agreement (EULA) for EOS has also raised privacy concerns, particularly around personal data collection in certain regions, further fueling fan discontent.

However, EOS is widely used across the industry, powering nearly a thousand games, including Hades, Elden Ring, Satisfactory, Dead by Daylight, Palworld, and Hogwarts Legacy. Since Epic’s Unreal Engine often integrates EOS, its prevalence in modern gaming is unsurprising.

The negative feedback targeting Space Marine 2’s use of EOS may reflect a broader industry issue rather than a problem unique to this game. Are these reviews a fair critique or an overreaction to a common practice?

Players can choose to uninstall EOS, but doing so means losing crossplay functionality with non-Steam players.

Despite the controversy, Space Marine 2 has earned praise for its gameplay. Game8 gave it a 92, calling it a "near-perfect portrayal of a zealous Space Marine in the Empire of Man and a stellar sequel to the 2011 third-person shooter." For a deeper dive into our thoughts, check out our full review!