Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead Games Studios and published by Sony Entertainment, has been a massive success. Released in February of this year, the cooperative third-person shooter sold over a million copies within its first month of release.
The player base of Helldivers 2 is already asking for more gameplay elements. While it offers many improvements over its predecessor, a game centered around killing aliens has its limits. Arrowhead Games will have to be innovative to maintain the popularity of their latest title.
The Nature of The Bug
In today’s digital age companies must compete for the constantly shifting attention of users. Palworld, the monster tamer game that received plagiarism accusations, initially bolstered a massive 2.1 million player base count.
Palworld’s release was met with much hype, fueled by the game itself and the controversy generated by its comparisons to Pokémon. However, the game received one of the biggest dropoffs in Steam history as it lost around 1.3 million players in two weeks. Despite the dropoff, Palworld still maintains a seemingly loyal base of around 700,000 players. The question remains whether Helldivers 2 will face a similar fate.
Well, as it turns our, there may be work for Helldivers 2 players yet, as it seems like the bugs may be taking the way against Democracy pretty seriously, and bringing it to the real world, in a series of hilarious viral posts on social media.
It may be all fun and good jest, but this really goes to show just how much players have bought into the phenomenon that is Helldivers 2. So for now, don’t believe the bugs, and don’t be turning your back on the fight for democracy!
Maintaining player engagement
Helldivers 2 may offer a masterclass in creating a sequel that’s not only worthy of its predecessor but builds on and surpasses it. Of course, there are basic improvements like an advance in graphics, but Helldivers 2 opting to forego the topdown shooter aspect in favor of third-person creates a much more organic and customizable gameplay experience.
Additional improvements include a focus on strategy rather than the frenetic mayhem of the original game. While shooting wave after wave of enemies is fun, Helldivers 2 adds in additional effects from customizable loadouts and environmental factors that can affect your strategy.
However, where Helldivers 2 truly shines is its developer’s attention to the players themselves. During the early stages of its release, the studio closely monitored players and made real-time gameplay adjustments based on their observations.
Stumbling Blocks for Helldivers 2
Despite the positives listed, Arrowhead Studios will have to walk a fine rope to keep fans from turning on them. For many “live service” has become a foul word. Live service games often prioritize player engagement over a complete and satisfying experience, leading to repetitive tasks and microtransactions.
This can make core gameplay feel secondary. Most gamers hate microtransactions and pay-to-win. Arrowhead Studios will have to steer clear of pitfalls like this if they intend to keep a large player base for time immemorial.
Only time will tell if Helldivers 2 continues to meet and exceed player expectations, or if it’ll sink into the dreaded territory of Dead Game. In an era where gaming companies seem to make no qualms about squeezing customers for every penny they’re worth, Helldiver 2’s $39.99 price point is a substantial boon. Arrowhead’s attention to detail, engagement with user desires, and improvements on its earlier title point things in a positive direction.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
