Developers of Helldivers 2 significantly reduced the game's installation size from 154GB to 23GB by removing data duplication, after measuring actual game load times and discovering that most loading delays are due to level generation, not asset loading. This change had minimal impact on load times, especially for HDD users, and highlights the importance of data-driven optimization rather than assumptions or industry averages.
The developers of Helldivers 2 have reduced the PC game size by approximately 131GB, from 154GB to 23GB, by de-duplicating data, which minimally impacts load times and helps players with limited storage. The new 'slim' version is available via a public beta on Steam and will become the default after testing.
Sony's financial report highlights Helldivers 2's strong cross-platform success, especially on Xbox, while Destiny 2 underperforms, leading Sony to revise its expectations and record a $204 million impairment related to Bungie, which remains operationally independent but with increasing integration.
ARC Raiders has become a surprise hit in 2024, surpassing Helldivers 2's peak player count on Steam with 462,488 concurrent players, despite being an independent new IP. Its success highlights a notable achievement for Embark Studios, especially compared to other recent multiplayer titles, and sets a promising stage for future updates and growth.
Helldivers 2's developer Arrowhead admits that focusing on new content over bug fixes has led to the game starting to break at the seams, and they are now prioritizing addressing these issues and rethinking their development approach.
The article provides a first look at gameplay footage of upcoming games on the ROG Xbox Ally X, showcasing performance at various settings and resolutions, with generally smooth frame rates, indicating the system's strong capabilities ahead of its release on October 16th.
Helldivers 2 is significantly larger on PC (150GB) than on consoles due to data duplication aimed at reducing load times for users with mechanical HDDs. The developers are exploring solutions to reduce file size and improve load times, but the impact on players with HDDs remains uncertain. The studio plans to bundle assets and enhance compression techniques in future updates.
Helldivers 2 on PC requires around 150GB due to data duplication used to optimize loading times on HDDs, a method less effective on SSDs. The developers are exploring solutions to reduce the size and improve performance, but significant changes are limited by technical constraints and the need to support HDDs, which are still used by some players. An update is planned to address performance issues, and the game is also available on Xbox Series X/S.
Helldivers 2 has a large 150GB install size on PC due to duplicate files, a workaround for slow HDD seek times, which is not an issue on consoles with SSDs. Developers are exploring solutions to reduce file duplication and improve loading times, but the current approach reflects a compromise for players with older hard drives.
Helldivers 2 achieved a significant revenue boost, ranking No.4 in August 2025 following its Xbox release and collaboration with Halo, while Battlefield 6 debuted at No.3 on engagement charts despite limited availability, indicating strong player interest ahead of its full release.
The studio behind Ghost of Yotei is still celebrating the delay of GTA 6 to May 2026, which has shifted the release landscape for other games. Helldivers 2's developers tease a social hub for their next game, possibly Helldivers 3, and fans speculate about GTA 6 parody websites. Keanu Reeves expresses interest in returning as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2, which will explore new locations. The article also touches on localization challenges for Animal Crossing in the US and other gaming news.
Helldivers 2's CEO warns against relying solely on online discourse for player feedback, emphasizing that most players don't post online and that developers use various data sources to gauge player sentiment accurately.
Sony's decision to release Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series X|S has proven successful, with the game topping the Xbox Store's paid and bestseller charts just a week after launch, selling over 600,000 copies and becoming highly popular among players, indicating a growing demand for PlayStation titles on Xbox.
The 'Into the Unjust' update for Helldivers 2 has caused crashes, performance drops, and other issues on Xbox, spoiling the game's launch momentum. Developer Arrowhead is working on a fix amid fan frustration, but the problems have temporarily marred the game's reception on Xbox platforms.
Helldivers 2 faces significant performance and optimization problems, with the CEO admitting that 'technical debt' and the game's large PC size are major issues. The studio is working on improvements, including addressing the game's enormous file size and enhancing performance, but progress may take time. Fans are frustrated, but the developers are committed to fixing these problems to improve the player experience.
