Helldivers 2 Update Hopes to Stop the Bleeding

Helldivers 2's player count is significantly dwindling. This article explores the reasons behind this decline and Arrowhead's strategy to revitalize the game.

Helldivers 2's Steep Decline on Steam

A Critical Acclaim, Yet a Plummeting Player Base

Despite a record-breaking launch as Playstation's fastest-selling game, Helldivers 2's Steam player base has plummeted. Concurrent players have dropped to roughly 10% of the initial peak of 458,709.

A major contributor to this decline was a PSN account registration requirement unexpectedly enforced by Sony earlier this year. This blocked access for players in 177 countries lacking PSN services, leading to negative reviews and the game's removal from sale in affected regions. The resulting review bombing drastically impacted player numbers. By May, SteamDB showed a 64% drop to 166,305 players, further falling to approximately 41,860 concurrent players—a 90% decrease. While the PS5 player base remains substantial, the Steam version initially represented a significant portion of the overall player count.

Freedom's Flame Warbond Update: A Hope for Revival

To combat the decline, Arrowhead announced the "Freedom's Flame Warbond" update, launching August 8, 2024. This update introduces new weapons, armor, and missions, including the Airburst Rocket Launcher and two new capes and cards ("Purifying Eclipse" and "The Breach"). These additions aim to reignite player interest and attract new players.

Helldivers 2's Live Service Model and Future Content

Helldivers 2's initial success, with 12 million copies sold in two weeks, surpasses even God of War: Ragnarok. However, maintaining this momentum as a live service game is crucial. Arrowhead plans to continue adding cosmetics, gear, and content to sustain player engagement and monetization opportunities.

Despite its challenges, Helldivers 2 remains a significant co-op shooter. The player base decline underscores the importance of swift responses to player concerns. The game's future hinges on its ability to deliver engaging content and recapture player attention.