Helldivers 2: Arrowhead's Main Focus for the Long Haul, Says CEO

Arrowhead Game Studios, the developers behind the popular game Helldivers 2, have recently addressed concerns from their community regarding the future of the game and the studio's next project, tentatively called "Game 6." Following the launch of the full-scale Illuminate invasion, CEO Shams Jorjani took to the official Helldivers Discord to clarify the studio's plans and reassure fans.

Jorjani emphasized the success of Helldivers 2, stating, “The wonderful thing is that thanks to the amazing support of you FINE people Arrowhead's future is quite bright and we have the freedom to explore some really cool concepts that we couldn't have otherwise. Game 6 (our next project) will happen the way it will happen thanks to you.” This statement, however, sparked concerns among some fans who feared that Arrowhead might be diverting resources away from Helldivers 2. Jorjani was quick to dispel these fears, asserting, "Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now. A very, very small team will spin up something later this year and go at it sloowly. Helldivers is our main focus and will be for a loooong time."

When asked about the duration of content updates for Helldivers 2, Jorjani responded optimistically, "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going." He acknowledged past challenges but highlighted the turnaround the game has seen, crediting the community's support for the bright future ahead.

In a follow-up comment, Jorjani addressed a fan's request for Arrowhead's next game to be available in all regions, free from the purchase restrictions that affected Helldivers 2. He stated, "The next game is 100% funded by ourselves so we'll call 100% of those shots." This indicates that Arrowhead plans to self-fund their next project, likely steering clear of the issues faced with Sony's involvement in Helldivers 2.

Discussing the development of Game 6, Jorjani contrasted it with the challenging eight-year development of Helldivers 2. He explained, "For the most part of the development cycle games plain suck... Very seldom are they truly fun from the get-go. And for Helldivers taking eight years to make it was rough for the longest time. But it came together in the end. The ONLY way to know is to playtest playtest playtest. For our next game we're doing things in a much smarter way and nailing a lot of the core s\*\*t early on (as you should) then make the rest."

These sentiments align with previous statements from Arrowhead's developers, who have expressed their commitment to ensuring Helldivers 2 remains a vibrant game for years to come. Notably, Helldivers 2 has achieved remarkable success, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks. Despite challenges such as changes in PSN account requirements, review-bomb campaigns, and ongoing community debates over game balance, Arrowhead remains dedicated.

Alex Bolle, the production director on Helldivers 2, reinforced this commitment in a recent interview with IGN, saying, “we want it to be around for years and years and years to come.” He discussed the team's motivation to continue innovating within the live game environment, adapting new features and systems while staying true to the game's core identity.

Recent leaks, including one from PlayStation itself, suggest the upcoming addition of Super Earth as a playable map, indicating that the Illuminate's invasion will soon reach our home planet, further expanding the game's universe and content.