Helldivers 2 takes a very different approach to monetization than a lot of other games do. While today’s gaming industry often follows monetization tactics that draw flak from players, Arrowhead Studios’ latest release takes a community-focused development path instead.
Helldivers have Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead Studios, to thank for this player-friendly choice. Not only is he incredibly vocal of various anti-MTX practices throughout gaming, he’s been doing his level best to ensure the best of both worlds in Helldivers 2.
You Don’t Need Money to Acquire Strategems in Helldivers 2
In an interview with CGMagazine, Pilestedt doubled down on Arrowhead Studios’ commitment to player satisfaction and fairness when it comes to monetization. The conversation explored the game’s microtransaction system, a loaded topic that typically irks players.
A huge question on many players’ minds was addressed: Is everything in Helldivers 2 unlockable without resorting to microtransactions? Pilested responded, exclaiming, “Everything is!” And a few months later, this still holds.
The game uses War Bonds, a mechanism similar to season passes but permanent. Pilestedt explained that War Bonds provide players with access to additional content like cosmetics, weapon variations, and stratagems without segregating the player base behind paywalls.
Because War Bonds are permanently available in the game, players can do them at their own pace, even if they return to the game years later. Getting War Bonds isn’t solely tied to real-world currency. Technically, you can purchase these bonds using Super Credits, the game’s premium currency, but you can also earn them through in-game progression.
Pilestedt once again reiterates that Arrowhead is only into ethical monetization and does not want to pressure players.
We won’t force you to buy or force advertisements. I want players to feel if they really like this game, they’ll feel okay with choosing to spend extra if they want to.
With Helldivers 2‘s type of monetization, players who invest time and effort into the game are rewarded equally alongside those who don’t have as much time and opt for monetary transactions. It’s more fun when everyone wins!
Community is an Important Aspect of Helldivers
By having microtransactions be a completely optional aspect of Helldivers 2, it puts players on equal ground, whether you want to save time and go ahead with monetary purchases or do the opposite and save your money by grinding it out. Both paths net the same items. In turn, this fosters a sense of community among the players. And as we know by now, Helldivers thrives on its community.
Pilestedt even acknowledged the Helldivers 2 community and how it’s become something truly special. Even though the game presents players as the good guys, it’s clear they’re not exactly heroic; they’re more like the minions of some evil empire, as the CEO describes it.
The community has taken this idea and run with it, like when they humorously dismiss complaints with lines such as, “Well, that sounds like something a cyborg sympathizer would say.” It’s all in good fun and brings everyone together.
Do you agree with Pilestedt’s monetization philosophy? Let us know in the comments below!
