Helldivers 2 Resurrects Beloved Franchise

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 Popular Game's Unexpected Fall from Grace

Despite a record-breaking Playstation launch, Helldivers 2's Steam player base has plummeted. The concurrent player count has dropped to roughly 10% of its peak of 458,709.

A major contributing factor was a PSN account registration requirement imposed by Sony, excluding players in 177 countries lacking PSN access. This led to widespread negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. By May, SteamDB showed a 64% player decrease to 166,305, and the 30-day average has further fallen to approximately 41,860, representing a 90% decline from its peak. While the PS5 player base remains substantial, the Steam version's decline is significant.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Path to Recovery?

To counter this downturn, Arrowhead is releasing the Freedom's Flame Warbond update on August 8, 2024. This update includes new weapons, armor, missions, and cosmetics, such as the Airburst Rocket Launcher and two new capes referencing key moments in the game's lore. These additions aim to reignite player interest and attract new players.

The Live Service Model and Future Content

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

Despite its challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a significant co-op shooter. Its player decline underscores the importance of swift responses to player concerns. The game's future hinges on its ability to deliver engaging content and recapture player attention.