Helldivers 2, once celebrated as PlayStation's fastest-selling game at launch, is now facing a significant decline in its player base. This article delves into the reasons behind this trend and outlines Arrowhead's plans to revitalize the game.

Helldivers 2 Loses 90% of Players in 5 Months

Helldivers 2 Becomes Less Popular Among Steam Users

Helldivers 2, Arrowhead's critically acclaimed alien-shooter, initially soared to great heights, achieving an all-time concurrent peak of 458,709 players on Steam. However, the game has since experienced a sharp decline, with player numbers dropping to just 10% of that peak.

A major contributor to this decline was the controversial PSN requirement imposed by Sony earlier this year. This mandate forced players to link a PSN account to their Steam purchase, which excluded 177 countries without access to PSN services. This move not only barred players in those regions from playing but also led to widespread discontent among those who could comply, resulting in a review bombing and a drastic drop in player count. Consequently, the game was removed from sale in countries without PSN access.

By the end of May, Helldivers 2's player base had fallen by 64% to 166,305 players, according to SteamDB. The latest 30-day average shows a further decline to around 41,860 concurrent players, marking a 90% reduction from its initial peak. It's worth noting that these statistics reflect only the Steam player base, while a significant portion of the community remains active on PS5. Nonetheless, the Steam version is believed to have constituted the majority of the game's players.

Helldivers 2 Freedom's Flame Warbond is coming on August 8

In response to the declining player base and to attract new players, Arrowhead has announced the upcoming Freedom’s Flame Warbond update, set for release on August 8, 2024. This update promises to inject fresh content into the game, including new weapons, armor, and missions. Highlights include the eagerly awaited Airburst Rocket Launcher and two new capes and cards: Purifying Eclipse, honoring the Liberation of Choepessa IV in the First Galactic War, and The Breach, commemorating the final mission of the 361st Freedom’s Flame. These additions aim to rekindle interest and boost player engagement.

Helldivers 2 as a Live Service Game and Push for Content

Helldivers 2's launch was a resounding success, selling 12 million copies in just two weeks and surpassing sales of God of War: Ragnarok. However, as a live service game, maintaining and growing this player base is crucial for Arrowhead and Sony. Unlike traditional games with a definitive end, Helldivers 2 can continually introduce new cosmetics, gear, and content, fostering an ongoing cycle of engagement and monetization.

Despite facing challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a significant title in the co-op shooter genre. The decline in its player base underscores the importance of swiftly addressing player concerns and needs. As Arrowhead continues to roll out new content and strive to recapture player interest, the future of Helldivers 2 will be closely watched.