Space Marine 2 System Specs Spark Fan Backlash

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's brutal PC debut has encountered an unexpected adversary that players are demanding be removed: Epic Online Services (EOS). Discover why this implementation has sparked controversy and how developers respond to the community backlash.

Space Marine 2 Forces EOS Installation for Crossplay Functionality

Epic Confirms Non-Negotiable Crossplay Requirement

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 launched amid controversy regarding its mandatory Epic Online Services implementation. Though publisher Focus Entertainment clarified that "linking Steam and Epic accounts isn't necessary to play," Epic Games revealed to Eurogamer that crossplay remains mandatory for EGS multiplayer titles.

"Crossplay across PC platforms is fundamental to the Epic Games Store experience," an Epic representative stated. "While developers may choose their solution, Epic Online Services frequently becomes the default selection as it seamlessly meets our requirements while remaining free to implement."

The core issue emerges from developer options: while EGS doesn't mandate EOS specifically, its crossplay requirement effectively makes EOS the most practical choice for most studios developing multiplayer titles.

Gamer Backlash Against Forced Implementation

While some welcome cross-platform functionality, significant opposition has formed against EOS's compulsory installation. Concerns range from privacy worries about perceived "spyware" to general aversion toward Epic's ecosystem.

The controversy triggered review bombing on Steam at launch, with most negative feedback focusing on the unannounced EOS integration rather than game quality. Questions about EOS's extensive EULA and potential data collection (limited to specific regions in reality) exacerbated player frustration.

Notably, Space Marine 2 isn't alone in using EOS - nearly a thousand titles including major releases like Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy utilize the service. Given Epic's ownership of Unreal Engine and its built-in EOS integration, widespread adoption becomes inevitable.

Players retain the option to uninstall EOS, though doing so disables crossplay functionality. Despite the controversy, Space Marine 2 has garnered critical acclaim, earning a 92/100 score from Game8 as "a quintessential Warhammer 40K experience and worthy successor to the 2011 original."