Helldivers 2 Update Hopes to Stop the Bleeding

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 Dramatic Player Drop on Steam

A Steep Decline in Steam Players

Despite a record-breaking PlayStation launch, Helldivers 2's Steam player base has plummeted. From a peak of 458,709 concurrent players, the number has fallen to approximately 10%.

A major contributing factor was a PSN account requirement imposed by Sony, excluding players in 177 countries without access to PSN services. This led to widespread negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. By May, SteamDB showed a 64% player decrease, and the 30-day average now sits around 41,860 concurrent players—a 90% drop. While the PS5 player base remains substantial, the Steam decline is significant.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Hopeful Sign

To counter the player loss, Arrowhead announced the "Freedom's Flame Warbond" update for August 8, 2024. This update will introduce new weapons, armor, missions, capes, and cards, including the highly anticipated Airburst Rocket Launcher. These additions aim to re-engage existing players and attract new ones.

Helldivers 2's Live Service Model and Future Plans

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 consistent content updates. Arrowhead plans to continue adding cosmetics, gear, and content to sustain player engagement and monetization.

Despite its challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a noteworthy co-op shooter. The player decline underscores the importance of rapid response to player concerns. The future success of the game hinges on its ability to deliver compelling content and address player feedback effectively.