Arrowhead Games, the developer behind the unexpectedly successful Helldivers 2, aims to become as influential as From Software or Blizzard. Helldivers 2, a co-op third-person shooter, has sold 12 million copies in three months, making it PlayStation's fastest-selling game. The studio's chief creative officer, Johan Pilestedt, attributes the success to the game's unique mechanics and the team's decision to deviate from industry norms. With Shams Jorjani now CEO, Arrowhead plans to focus on creating more innovative games while maintaining its independence and avoiding rapid expansion or acquisition.
A Helldivers 2 player, Steven Spohn, expressed frustration as the game's anti-cheat system blocked his accessibility tools, prompting a rallying of support from fans and the game's director, Johan Pilestedt. Spohn, a disability advocate, highlighted the impact on his ability to play the game using assistive technology. Arrowhead Games' CEO responded to Spohn's tweet and expressed willingness to address the issue, signaling potential improvements in accessibility support for the game.
After the CEO of Helldivers 2 studio initially denied the existence of heavy machine guns, two heavy weapons, the LAS-99 Quasar Cannon and the MG-101 Heavy Machine Gun, have been introduced in-game. The Quasar Cannon is geared towards taking out tanky enemies, while the HMG has significant recoil variations based on stance. Both weapons complement the game's arsenal and do not require a support backpack, offering alternatives to existing weapons.
Helldivers 2 players pay tribute to a late player, OkamiCheems, with thousands of salutes on the game's subreddit after a friend's heartfelt post about his passing. Arrowhead Games' CEO promises to work with the dev team on a fitting tribute, expressing his own experience with loss. The community's outpouring of support is described as "amazing" by the friend, who wishes the player had known how valued he was.
Fans of Helldivers 2 are praising the game's "unbelievable" and silly physics, which the creative director attributes to the philosophy of "simulating everything and just accepting the outcome." The game's over-the-top ragdoll physics contribute to its comedic element, earning praise from both players and developers. With potential hints at the return of the Illuminate faction, Helldivers 2 is not just a good co-op game but a masterclass in designing comedy games.
Helldivers 2 is introducing a new Warbond called Cutting Edge, but players don't need to rush to grind super credits as the old Warbond, Steeled Veterans, will still be available. While the game's premium currency, super credits, can be used to access the new content immediately, players can also earn Warbonds through gameplay. However, with potential future Warbonds, there may be concerns about the grind for new players, prompting questions about the game's monetization and potential changes to super credit acquisition.
The Cutting Edge Warbond, the first post-release Warbond for Helldivers 2, will launch on March 14, with the release time estimated based on previous updates. It is expected to cost around $10, offering new weapons, armor sets, capes, a grenade, and other items. The update does not automatically grant rewards, and players will need to play, earn Medals, and purchase the new goodies they want.
The developers of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Games, have explained that the decision to keep friendly fire always on in the game is rooted in creating a believable and consistent game world, adding complexity and intensity to gameplay, and injecting dark humor into the experience. They believe that turning off friendly fire would detract from what makes the game unique and engaging, as it forces players to think strategically and remain constantly vigilant during missions.
The arrival of mechs in Helldivers 2 has caused server errors, with players experiencing difficulty getting into the game. Arrowhead Games is working to fix the issue, but there's no indication of when servers will be back to normal. In addition to server problems, there are concerns about mission rewards not registering due to backend overload, but developers assure players that rewards will be received eventually.
Players of Helldivers 2 are expressing frustration with the game's armor penetration mechanic, which is a hidden modifier that affects damage. Many are calling for the developers to make adjustments, as they feel that the lack of transparency regarding weapon effectiveness is causing confusion and hindering their ability to make informed choices. CEO Johan Pilestedt acknowledged the issue and expressed regret over initially hiding the statistical information, prompting discussions and suggestions from the community on how to improve the system.
Over 180,000 Helldivers 2 players are engaged in a defensive war with the Automatons, attempting to liberate a single planet in under 24 hours. The game's developer, Arrowhead Games, has been adjusting the planet's regeneration rate, causing fluctuations in the players' progress. Despite the challenges, the player community remains dedicated to the mission, showcasing the impact of large-scale player involvement in shaping game mechanics.
