Helldivers 2 Dev Admits The Game Swings Between ‘It’s So Over’ and ‘We’re So Back’

Arrowhead Game Studios CCO Johan Pilestedt has weighed in on the ups and downs of Helldivers 2‘s ongoing live-service development. Pilestdt admitted that Helldivers 2 updates haven’t always had the strongest reception, but reaffirmed that Arrowhead is always looking for areas of improvement.

On launch, Helldivers 2 was hailed as one of the best surprises of 2024, and was met with massive commercial and critical success. But with this, Arrowhead Game Studios was suddenly tasked with maintaining one of the most popular live service games in the world. The game has since been review-bombed by players multiple times for various reasons, but retains a dedicated player base. Nowadays, Helldivers 2‘s performance issues are causing Arrowhead to take the most flak, and solving these problems has essentially become the studio’s number one priority. It has been a rocky road, to say the least, and it’s a testament to the core gameplay loop’s strength that Helldivers 2 remains extremely popular despite it all.

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Helldivers 2 Dev Acknowledges The Game’s Ups and Downs

While speaking with GamesRadar+ at the Golden Joysticks Awards 2025, Arrowhead Game Studios CCO Johan Pilestedt commented on Helldivers 2‘s up-and-down reception from players, saying, “The community has coined it really well. It’s a never-ending ping pong between ‘it’s so over’ and ‘we’re so back,’ and I think that’s sort of the way that we’ll continue developing the game.”

In an ideal world, Helldivers 2 would never face “it’s so over” accusations, but Pilestedt elaborates by confirming that Arrowhead is always looking to improve. “I mean, we’re trying to get better with each update,” Pilestedt said. “But then again, I think the essence of the team is what you see in the game as well. And I think that’s true for almost all game development studios. You see the efforts of those individuals that are there at the time, and the mentality of the people that are there at the time. And when you make a game that’s about bumbling fools, you can sort of realize where that comes from.” There is ultimately something quite refreshing about a developer of a live-service title like Helldivers 2 admitting it won’t always get it right, especially when it’s clear it’s taking all the necessary steps to improve in key areas.

At the moment, Arrowhead Game Studios is at a key crossroads for Helldivers 2. The game’s performance issues have led to a re-evaluation of what it needs long-term, with one developer recently admitting that Helldivers 2 is starting to break at the seams. Arrowhead’s focus on performance and stability right now might not make for the most glamorous updates, but it could be what really saves the game in the future.

Released

February 8, 2024

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

Developer(s)

Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing