Helldivers 2 Update Hopes to Stop the Bleeding

Helldivers 2's player count is declining, prompting concerns and a planned response from developer Arrowhead. This article explores the reasons behind this downward trend and the studio's strategy to revitalize the game.

Helldivers 2's Steep Decline on Steam

A Popular Launch, Followed by a Sharp Drop

Despite a record-breaking launch as PlayStation's fastest-selling game, Helldivers 2 has experienced a dramatic drop in Steam players. From a peak of 458,709 concurrent players, the number has plummeted to approximately 10%.

A major contributing factor was a PSN account requirement unexpectedly enforced by Sony earlier this year. This excluded players in 177 countries without access to PSN services, leading to negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. The impact was severe; by May, SteamDB showed a 64% decline to 166,305 players, and the 30-day average now sits around 41,860—a 90% decrease from the peak. While the PS5 player base remains significant, the Steam version represented a substantial portion of the overall player count.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Response to the Decline

To counter this decline and attract new players, Arrowhead is releasing the Freedom's Flame Warbond update on August 8, 2024. This update introduces new weapons, armor, and missions, including the highly anticipated Airburst Rocket Launcher and two new capes and cards: Purifying Eclipse and The Breach. These additions aim to reignite player interest and bring in fresh faces.

Helldivers 2's Live Service Model and Future Content

Helldivers 2's initial success—selling 12 million copies in two weeks, surpassing even God of War: Ragnarok—highlights its potential. However, maintaining this momentum as a live service game requires consistent engagement. Arrowhead plans to achieve this by continuously adding new cosmetics, gear, and content, ensuring ongoing monetization opportunities.

Despite its challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a notable co-op shooter. The player base 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.