CEO of Helldivers 2 Developer Arrowhead Cautions Against Buying the Game Right Now

The recent launch of Helldivers 2, the latest title from Arrowhead Game Studios, has been met with an unprecedented influx of players, leading to significant server issues. In response to these problems, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt has advised potential buyers to hold off on purchasing the game until the servers can support the capacity.

Since its release on February 8, 2024, Helldivers 2 has experienced explosive growth, with a peak concurrent player count of 411,359 on Steam. This number surpasses the all-time Steam concurrent peaks of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5, Bethesda’s Starfield, and Bungie’s Destiny 2. However, the influx of players has caused server issues, including black screens for PC players and “servers at capacity” messages for both PC and PS5 users.

The community’s response to these issues has been mixed. Some players, like Rabbit, have reported minimal problems and have been able to play without significant delays. Others, such as DisgracedMilkOne and PenguinShogun, have experienced extended wait times to get into the game. Dunker, meanwhile, has suggested that even those with the financial means to buy the game should wait until the servers are more stable.

Arrowhead has acknowledged the issues and plans to release updates this week to address the most serious problems. The first patch arrives today, February 20, but Pilestedt has warned that no single update will solve all the issues. The developer’s honesty about the game’s current state has been appreciated by the community, with LittleBlueCubes commenting that “honesty is the best policy.”

The server stress is not only a problem for players but also a boon for the developer. As Pilestedt noted, “while we made a really fun game it’s worth waiting until the servers can support the capacity.” The success of Helldivers 2 has given Arrowhead the opportunity to earn more revenue, but the CEO’s concern for the player experience shows that the company values its community.

The Helldivers 2 community has called for additional features, such as an away from keyboard (AFK) auto kick, to help alleviate the server issues. Pilestedt has suggested that Arrowhead is working on a fix for this issue as well.

In our review of Helldivers 2, we praised the game’s combat, fresh and interesting missions, and smart progression system. Despite the server issues, the game remains worth playing for those who can tolerate the wait times. For those who cannot, Pilestedt’s advice to wait until the servers are more stable is a prudent choice.

The success of Helldivers 2 has sparked renewed interest in the Starship Troopers franchise, with players comparing the game’s multiplayer experience to the classic science fiction films. As the community continues to grow and the developers work to improve the game, Helldivers 2 is poised to become a standout title in the shooter genre.

In conclusion, the server issues plaguing Helldivers 2 have caused significant wait times for players, but the community’s response has been largely positive. Arrowhead’s transparency about the issues and commitment to fixing them has earned the developer praise from the community. For those who cannot tolerate the wait times, Pilestedt’s advice to wait until the servers are more stable is a wise choice. The success of Helldivers 2 has given Arrowhead an opportunity to earn more revenue, but the company’s concern for the player experience shows that it values its community above all else. As the game continues to grow and improve, Helldivers 2 is poised to become a standout title in the shooter genre.