Helldivers 2 Update Aims to Stem Player Exodus

Helldivers 2's player count is significantly dwindling. This article explores the reasons behind this decline and Arrowhead's strategy to revitalize the game.

Helldivers 2's Steep Decline on Steam

A Critical Acclaim, Yet a Plummeting Player Base

Despite a record-breaking PlayStation launch, Helldivers 2's Steam player numbers have plummeted. From a peak of 458,709 concurrent players, the current count is approximately 10% of that figure.

A major contributing factor was a PSN account requirement imposed by Sony, impacting access for players in 177 countries lacking PSN services. This led to negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. By May, SteamDB showed a 64% decline, and the 30-day average now sits around 41,860 concurrent players – a 90% drop. While the PS5 player base remains substantial, the Steam version's decline is significant.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Hope for Revival

To combat the player exodus, Arrowhead is releasing the Freedom's Flame Warbond update on August 8th, 2024. This update introduces new weapons, armor, missions, and cosmetics, including the Airburst Rocket Launcher and two new capes referencing key moments in the game's lore. The aim is to re-engage existing players and attract new ones.

Helldivers 2's Live Service Model and Future Content

Helldivers 2's initial success, with 12 million copies sold in two weeks, surpassed even God of War: Ragnarok. However, maintaining this momentum within a live service model requires consistent content updates. Arrowhead plans to leverage this model by continuously adding new cosmetics, gear, and content to sustain player engagement and monetization.

Despite the challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a notable co-op shooter. Its current struggles underscore the importance of developer responsiveness to player concerns. The success of the upcoming content updates will be crucial in determining the game's long-term viability.