Live service. A type of game that revolves around the idea of constant online interaction among players. Meaning the game relies on the community to continue playing it for success. This kind of game exists everywhere nowadays as it can create a lot of money, very quickly. Often, they’re paired hand in hand with microtransactions, skins and cosmetics, or even unfair advantages to players who spend extra money on the game. Games like these can include Fortnite, Apex legends, Destiny, Warframe, Call of Duty…the list goes on.
However, one game stood out from the rest. On the eighth of February 2024, the game “HELLDIVERS II” was unleashed to the public. Originating from a small IP known as “HELLDIVERS”, a small game that involved players “liberating” planets, mission after mission, in 4 player coop against terrifying aliens and rebellious cyborgs, “HELLDIVERS II” was given a “smaller” amount of funding than the average game from Playstation Studios. Arrowhead studios, responsible for the development of both games, was nothing but full of truly passionate individuals who absolutely loved their games.
The iconic “salute to Super Earth”
“HELLDIVERS”, despite it’s small success, was picked up by Sony to fund a “HELLDIVERS II” on Feb/02/2017. With 50-100 million dollars (small amount of funding for most triple A titles in the gaming industry) and a dream, Arrowhead Studios would put their heart and soul into Helldivers II. Valiantly developing their project of passion through 7 years, 11 months and 6 days.
Despite the small IP, HELLDIVERS developers hoped that the wacky, satirical and crazy gameplay would attract the hearts and minds of many gamers. Believing their game was far beyond what was being created at the time. With an original release drop planned for 2023, they pushed the date forward into 2024, believing that their game needed far more work than anticipated.
Each pod has a helldiver in it. It’s why they’re called Hell”divers”
When the game was released, the amount of players who hopped on the game were mindblowing. Clip after clip of funny moments, bug squishing, robot tearing and explosive fun were released to platforms like tik tok and youtube. And that was all it took for the game to be taken by storm. Almost 700,000 players flocked to the game with weapons in hand, ready to liberate. The success was so massive that the servers weren’t working and many had complained about connection issues! How crazy is that?
Through a rough release period, HELLDIVERS II prevailed to bring some of the most engaging gameplay a shooter game could ever accomplish. No one ever thought coop PVE could ever be this fun! But…why?
In helldivers, every single player-made-action affects the story. Every mission you complete can help liberate a planet. Every enemy you kill, every area you liberate, added to the new “Major Order”. Which was basically a community wide mission that everyone was required to help complete by the end of the timer. If the major order failed to be accomplished…real consequences would follow.
With its engaging gameplay, fun mechanics and an overarching feeling that you were a part of the story for super earth’s prosperity, everyone had tons of fun playing the game. What was even better was the fact that skins, cosmetics and micro transactions that were often pricy in other live service games, were not only not obnoxious, but cheaper. Players could buy simple cosmetics for $1-3.00. Players could also upgrade their “warbonds” to get even more cosmetics for a price of $10. However, super credits (the micro transactions that were used), could be found scattered throughout every mission. You can get around +10 super credits every mission! Meaning if you played the game enough, all cosmetics can be free. Combined with the fact that the game lacked any sort of timer for getting these cosmetics, it meant you had all the time in the world to grind out super credits and get your own cosmetics.
Furthermore, the reason why the microtransactions are so lenient is because the game’s base price is $39.99. However, most games these days cost over $59.99 or even $69.99. The ridiculous price increase for video games has been an ongoing dispute. However, Premium live service like HELLDIVERS was discounted by $10!
However…the infinite fun soon ended. Sony, the money hungry company they were, tried to implicit rules and regulations that were unfair for HELLDIVERS playerbase. For example, they inserted rules like the need of a playstation network account to play. A service banned in many countries such as Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas… the list goes on. Many said that because of corporate greed, it was impossible for perfect games to truly exist.
Many people saw this notice pop up on the storefront of Helldivers. The first thing people did? Scream in terror.
With a community full of rage, HELLDIVERS 2 was bombarded with many hateful reviews and angry comments on the game’s new path. Claiming it was unfair, unjust and completely on the side of “unjust managed democracy” the game was satirically making fun of and criticizing. Arrowhead studios, having established a very strong name for themself for being communicative of systematic choices and in game feature additions, claimed they had no choice but to abide by Sony’s choices. Saying they had zero say on what choices were made to the game’s new, unfair rule. This choice systematically banned people who have purchased the game from playing in the aforementioned countries above.
The tides turned as HELLDIVERS 2 community members began calling out playstation. Saying the review bombs should be targeted on Sony, not Arrowhead.
Few weeks afterward, Helldivers players were pleased to see that their “Major Order against Sony” had been a massive success. After the reviews for the game went from “Overwhelmingly positive” to “overwhelmingly negative” within 3 days, the community rejoiced as they saw that the new requirement was lifted and a PSN account was no longer required to play the game.
A fanmade cape for “HELLDIVERS II”, mimicking the negative reviews turning positive after the PSN requirement was lifted.
Afterwards, Sony seemed to try and dictate Arrowhead game’s development. Rolling out unnecessary nerfs, buffs to enemies and changes that seemed small but hugely impacted the game. Many community members felt frustrated and angry toward Arrowhead for the changes. This is where HELLDIVERS 2 suffered the biggest drop of players. Sony, seeing that their new biggest toy was suffering at it’s lowest because of their own actions, Sony finally stepped down. Giving all the development power to the one and only Arrowhead, who seemed to know what the heck they were doing in the first place!
With a fist of pride, Arrowhead began rolling out a series of new patch notes and updates. Giving everybody buffed weapons, cheaper items, new free stratagems that showed true powers to the disgusting bug overlords and more! The community rejoiced as they felt like their guns were once again, more powerful than ever. Furthermore, after the game awards, they rolled out a new update introducing a completely new alien species known as the Illuminate.
The story continues to expand as we truly are introduced to the new alien faction, the brand new threat to super earth’s prosperity. The super earth ministry of truth says they are completely unaware of what the illuminate are here for…nor do we know what they’re truly capable of. They’re just…here. Preying on innocent citizens… something smells fishy…
Oh well! If I become suspicious, I’ll be marked a traitor and sent to jail. Let us hold hands as Helldivers to stop…whatever it is The Illuminate are doing!
For super earth!
This article was monitored and released by “Super Earth’s ministry of truth”. Report all fallacies to your nearest democracy officer.
