Helldivers 2 Update Boosts Co-op Limit to 8

Helldivers 2's "Escalation of Freedom" Update Reignites Player Base

Helldivers 2 has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in player numbers following the release of its substantial "Escalation of Freedom" update. The update, which brought players back to the challenging world of "Super Earth," doubled the game's concurrent player count within 24 hours, jumping from a consistent average of 30,000 to a peak of 62,819.

This dramatic increase is attributed to the update's comprehensive overhaul. New formidable foes, including the Impaler and Rocket Tank, have been introduced, alongside a terrifyingly difficult "Super Helldive" mode and enhanced, more rewarding outposts. Players also benefit from new missions, objectives, improved anti-grief measures, and enhanced quality-of-life features. The upcoming launch of the "Warbond" battle pass on August 8th further contributes to sustained player engagement.

However, the update isn't without its detractors. A wave of negative reviews cites increased difficulty stemming from weapon nerfs and enemy buffs, impacting the overall enjoyment for some players. Reports of game-breaking bugs and crashes further compound these issues. Despite these criticisms, the game currently holds a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, though this isn't the first instance of negative player feedback.

A Previous Dip in Player Numbers

Prior to the update, Helldivers 2 maintained a robust Steam community, averaging 30,000 concurrent players daily—a significant achievement for a live-service game. However, this represents a considerable decline from its initial peak popularity, which saw hundreds of thousands of concurrent players, reaching a high of 458,709.

This downturn was largely attributed to Sony's mandate in May requiring Steam accounts to be linked to PlayStation Network (PSN). This decision alienated players from 177 countries lacking PSN access. While Sony reversed this policy, the issue persists, leaving these regions locked out of the game. Arrowhead Game Studios CEO, Johan Pilestedt, has acknowledged ongoing efforts to resolve this, but the problem remains three months later. Further details on Pilestedt's statements and the subsequent player backlash can be found in a related article (link omitted).