Summary
Arrowhead Game Studios' chief creative officer shared the challenges the studio is facing with player toxicity and server strain inHelldivers 2. The game has garnered significant popularity; however,Helldivers 2’s rapid growth has brought about unforeseen community issues.
Helldivers 2transitioned from its predecessorto offer a more immersive third-person perspective. This squad-based shooter is set in a galaxy under siege by alien forces, where players take on the role of elite soldiers known as Helldivers, tasked with defending their home planet and restoring peace. The game features customizable loadouts and cooperative gameplay, combining strategic planning with chaotic combat against alien hordes.
In a recent conversation withGamesIndustry.biz, Johan Pilestedt, Arrowhead Game Studios' chief creative officer, shared the challenges the studio is facing with player toxicity and server strainasHelldivers 2reaches a larger audience. Pilestedt explained that the studio is encountering unprecedented levels of rude behavior and threats from some members of the community. “The big difference now, which is horrifying, is the amount of threats and rude behavior that people in the studio are getting,” Pilestedt remarked. This level of toxicity is a new experience for Arrowhead, necessitating a proactive approach to community management.
Helldivers 2 Devs' Plans to Address Toxicity Issues
Arrowhead is addressingHelldiver 2’s toxicity issues by encouraging self-moderationwithin the community, providing tools for positive communication, and maintaining open lines of dialogue with players to manage expectations and promptly resolve issues. The studio is also drawing on the experiences of other companies with large player bases, such as Valve, known for managing communities in games likeDOTAandCounter-Strike. By observing and adapting successful practices from these industry leaders, Arrowhead aims to create a healthier gaming environment.
The big difference now, which is horrifying, is the amount of threats and rude behavior that people in the studio are getting.
Pilestedt also highlighted the importance of team camaraderie and support in managing the pressures associated with running a highly successful live-service game. With Shams Jorjani taking over day-to-day operations as CEO, Pilestedt is able to focus more on the creative aspects of game development, ensuring that Arrowhead remains independent and committed to creating high-quality co-op games rather than pursuing rapid expansion or acquisition. Arrowhead’s strategy involves measured growth that supports game development while maintaining a positive working environment. This approach helps the studio avoid the pitfalls of rapid expansion and the pressures of being a public company. The leadership team is aligned on their goals, feeling confident about the studio’s future despite the challenges.
Whilethe success ofHelldivers 2has brought new challenges, Arrowhead is committed to addressing these issues through effective community management. By navigating these challenges, the studio aims to continue delivering enjoyable gaming experiences to its growing player base.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
