Summary
Helldivers 2game director Mikael Eriksson has addressed the community in a new statement, laying out plans for the live-service game’s future following a controversial update on August 6. TheHelldivers 2community was unhappy with the Escalation of Freedom patch after it nerfed a magnitude of weapons and stratagems, but Arrowhead says it has been listening to feedback.
The Escalation of Freedom update wasHelldivers 2’s biggest update to date, adding a new difficulty level, enemies, environmental hazards, and much more. But while Arrowhead Game Studios was hoping that players would focus on all of the new content included in the update, the community quickly took issue with the many nerfs that were also included. As a result,Helldivers 2was review-bombed on Steamas fans expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the changes, calling them “unnecessary” and “endless.”
In response to thelatestHelldivers 2controversy, the game’s director has issued a new statement on Reddit and told the game’s community that the studio has spent the last week “listening” and “reflecting.” Eriksson goes on to explain how Arrowhead didn’t hit its target with the Escalation of Freedom update, but says now is the time for action, not talk. The director then laid out a 60-day plan forHelldivers 2and listed key points that Arrowhead intends to focus on with upcoming updates.
Helldivers 2 Lays Out Future Update Plans
AsHelldivers 2players weren’t happy with recent nerfs, Arrowhead says it will continue to re-examine its approach to balance adjustments and won’t make any changes just for the sake of it. Eriksson also notes that the fire damage mechanic will be tweaked, ragdolling gameplay will be reworked, and the approach to primary weapons will be reassessed in order to create more engaging combat. The director goes on to list a magnitude of other changes in the works, while also announcing that Arrowhead is exploring the idea of an opt-in beta-test environment to improve the overall testing processes.
While weapon nerfs and buffs are going to be controversial in any live-service shooter, allowing the community to beta-test the changes before they go live is a great way to avoid any future issues. After Arrowhead and PlayStation found themselves in hot water over the Steam and PSN account-linking fiasco, it would be wise to avoid any new controversies at all costs. But asHelldivers 2’s player count falls to an all-time low, many of the game’s die-hard players cite the constant weapon nerfs as one of the main reasons for leaving the game behind.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
