Helldivers 2 is a technical and visual marvel from Arrowhead Game Studios and the reception to the game has proven that. Johan Pilestedt serves as the game director and has remained humble and knows to give credit where it is due.
The recent times have not been kind to most modern video games in terms of attention to detail. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind had a rather impressive water physics for its time and Pilestedt longed for those days again.
Water Physics in Morrowind Blows Away Helldivers 2 Director’s Mind
Arrowhead Game Studios also has an impressive eye for detail with the in-game weapons physics of its latest live service game. Pilestedt is a gamer first and game developer second, and was taken aback by what Bethesda was able to achieve with the water physics in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind in the year 2002.
Yeah why aren't games doing this anymore?!
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
I know I'm throwing stones in a glass house.
Pilestedt acknowledges his hypocrisy with his statement but the director is selling him and his studio short by undermining what Arrowhead Studios achieved with its game. Players were all enamored by the attention to detail despite the game running on an antiquated engine.
It did not stop the developers from creating a detailed and somewhat realistic world. Perhaps the water physics will be the next aspect of the game to get a significant overhaul with an update from the developers.
The game has undergone some changes in terms of the efficiency of firearms in the recent update, and the gaming community was not a fan of it but this change could be a compensation of sorts.
Johan Pilestedt Threw Stones at Helldivers 2 for Fun
Not all video games share the same level of visual fidelity or attention to detail, game developers like Naughty Dog spent a lot of time and effort on the gore system of The Last of Us Part 2 which resonated well with fans. Sometimes the gaming community uses the physics and graphics of a video game as a metric to determine whether it can be considered a next-gen title which is folly.
It is wholesome to see modern game developers take a trip down memory lane and reflect on the greatness of what came before. Perhaps the achievements of yesterday will motivate developers to make even more impressive innovations for projects scheduled for tomorrow and beyond.
It’s important to recognize that perfection is unattainable. What makes Pilestedt’s claim even more admirable is his humble acknowledgment of areas that can be improved and his recognition of his faults as a developer. This level of self-awareness and willingness to grow is a valuable trait in any profession, and it speaks to Pilestedt’s dedication to his work and the pursuit of excellence.
Do you think Helldivers 2 can achieve better water physics than a video game released two decades ago? Let us know in the comments below!
