Highlights
- The head of Arrowhead Game Studios defended the use of microtransactions in Helldivers 2, stating that they are not pay-to-win and do not impact the game’s balance.
- Players can earn the premium Super Credits currency through gameplay, refuting the argument that Helldivers 2 is pay-to-win.
- There are multiple ways to unlock new weapons in Helldivers 2 without the use of Super Credits or buying a premium battle pass.
The head of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios has addressed the issue of microtransactions in the game amidst ongoing controversy regarding their use. The new sci-fi shooter just launched, but it’s already got lots of gamers talking. Now, many are looking to the future of Helldivers 2 and how players will experience the title as they unlock more content.
Helldivers 2 experienced significant problems at launch, but this doesn’t appear to have prevented it from attracting fans. The game managed to bounce back from this rocky start and is quickly building a community of players who enjoy working together to defeat menacing aliens in the defense of Super Earth. Of course, this doesn’t mean the new title doesn’t still face challenges and questions about some of its features. Specifically, some have taken issue with the use of microtransactions in Helldivers 2.
Helldivers 2 Has Mass Effect Easter Egg
Eagle-eyed fans notice a reference to one of the Mass Effect franchise’s most popular memes tucked away in Helldivers 2’s in-game item store.
On Twitter, Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt has responed to the issue of microtransactions and defended their use in Helldivers 2. Responding to a fan who was, himself, speaking in support of the game, Pilestedt emphasized that microtransactions are not used in such a way as to make the title pay-to-win. “I’m partial,” Pilestedt admitted, “but we really applied ourselves not to make it p2w even though items are functionally different.” While acknowledging that some weapons that look cool, like the revolver, may require payment, these sorts of weapons won’t impact the balance of the game.
Helldivers 2 Dev Emphasizes the Game isn’t Pay-To-Win
The fan who started the discussion, going by _Shaq_ on Twitter, also noted that premium currency can be earned in the game, helping to refute the argument that it’s pay-to-win. Indeed, there are multiple ways to earn Super Credits in Helldivers 2 and the developers have said that players will likely gain 10-40 per hour of gameplay.
It’s also important to note that there are multiple ways to unlock new weapons in Helldivers 2 that don’t require the use of Super Credits or buying a premium battle pass. Pilestedt later stated in the same Twitter thread that “you have to earn the right to monetize,” and it seems that the developer is trying to live up to that pledge. So far, this strategy is winning support from many gamers.
Recently, Helldivers 2 beat God of War in an important category, becoming the most concurrently played Sony game on Steam. This success speaks to how the title has bounced back from its rocky launch and the growing community that supports the game. These fans will likely be reassured by Pilestedt’s stance on microtransactions going forward.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Games Studios for the PC and PlayStation 5 where players take control of a Helldiver set to protect the citizens of Super Earth by traveling to hostile alien worlds and destroying threats. Players undergo missions, defeat enemies, and use special items called Stratagems to help turn the tide of battle in this punishing release.
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Platform(s)
- PC , PlayStation 5
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios AB
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
