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 strategies to revitalize the game.

Helldivers 2's Steep Decline on Steam

A Critical Acclaim, Yet Player Numbers Plummet

Despite a record-breaking PlayStation launch, Helldivers 2 has experienced a dramatic drop in Steam players. 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 earlier this year. This excluded players in 177 countries without PSN access, leading to negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. The resulting review bombing severely impacted player numbers. By May, a 64% decline was observed, and the 30-day average now sits around 41,860 concurrent players—a 90% decrease. While the PS5 player base remains substantial, the Steam version initially represented a significant portion of the overall player count.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Hopeful Sign

To combat the decline, Arrowhead is releasing the Freedom's Flame Warbond update on August 8, 2024. This update introduces new weapons, armor, missions, capes, and cards, including the highly anticipated Airburst Rocket Launcher and content referencing key moments from the game's lore. These additions aim to reignite player interest and attract new players.

Helldivers 2's Live Service Model and Future Content

Helldivers 2's initial success, selling 12 million copies in two weeks, surpasses even God of War: Ragnarok. However, maintaining this momentum within a live service model requires continuous content updates. Arrowhead plans to leverage this model by regularly adding cosmetics, gear, and content to sustain player engagement and monetization.

Despite its challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a notable co-op shooter. The player base decline underscores the importance of swiftly addressing player concerns. The game's future hinges on its ability to deliver engaging content and recapture player attention.