“They don’t let their vision waver”: Helldivers 2 Establishes Democracy By Refusing To Remove Friendly Fire Despite ‘Whining Vocal Minority’ In Based Move

Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios’ unexpected smash-hit co-op shooter, seems to have indefinitely secured a spot among the most-played games on Steam. For the studio’s first AAA release, the game’s success is astonishing beyond belief.

Its chaotic and often hilarious gameplay is a massive reason behind its success, but has sparked debate among players regarding the always-on friendly fire. Many want the feature to be removed or toned down, but Arrowhead remains firm in their stance of keeping it in the game, to much-deserved commendation from some.

Some Helldivers 2 Players Have Had It With Friendly Fire

The friendly fire controversy began with a Steam forum post on 25 February 2024. A player recounted a frustrating experience where a teammate’s exorbitant use of orbital strikes resulted in a significant amount of friendly fire damage and ultimately hindered mission completion.

This sentiment resonated with others, like Fatal Penguin, who lamented the lack of recourse against players who intentionally sabotage missions by harming their own team.

However, in an interview with PlayStation Blog, Arrowhead CEO and Helldivers 2 creative director Johan Pilestedt doubled down on friendly fire, emphasizing the importance of internal consistency within the game world:

The most important thing when we make games is believability. Things should be consistent in the game world and therefore, we must have friendly fire. If your bullets can kill enemies, and the enemies can kill you, then logic dictates that your bullets must also be able to kill your friends.

More importantly, Pilestedt highlights the gameplay benefits of friendly fire. It forces players to be more mindful on the battlefield, effectively mimicking real-world combat situations. Instead of a rote, formulaic approach, friendly fire necessitates a more spontaneous and creative problem-solving strategy.

Pilestedt Says Carpet Bombing Your Friends Is Funny

Friendly fire’s impact goes beyond just strategic depth, though. Pilestedt acknowledges the hilarity that often ensues from accidental friendly fire incidents, “the chuckles that happen when you accidentally carpet bomb your friends allows for a playfulness that in reality would be a tragedy – but within the self bounds of games we can explore the dark humor of these situations” said Pilestedt.

Pilestedt capped off his stance by stressing the role friendly fire plays in fostering true player interactivity:

And finally, the friendly fire element makes the players a true interactable part of the game world that plays a great part in positioning and helps with team play.

This aligns with the studio’s core design philosophy of making players “feel human”. The fragility of the characters coupled with the potential for friendly fire reinforces the human element within the game. Short wonder then that fans have lauded Arrowhead’s commitment to their creative vision.

Arrowhead’s decision to retain friendly fire in Helldivers 2 is clearly a deliberate creative choice. While it can be frustrating at times, Pilestedt believes it contributes significantly to the game’s core identity. It fosters a sense of realism, injects strategic depth, and even allows for moments of unexpected humor.

Ultimately, it encourages players to approach combat with a heightened awareness of their surroundings and their fellow freedom fighters, further solidifying the importance of teamwork and cooperation in the face of the galaxy’s undemocratic invaders.