Helldivers 2 continues its triumphant march through the gaming world, securing two prestigious BAFTA Game Awards for Best Multiplayer and Best Music from a total of five nominations. These accolades cap off an impressive awards season for the Swedish developer Arrowhead, marking a remarkable year for the studio.
It's worth recalling that Helldivers 2 has set a historic benchmark as the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever, amassing an incredible 12 million copies sold within just 12 weeks. This record-breaking achievement underscores the game's monumental success, which is unlikely to be surpassed by any other first-party Sony-developed game. Since its explosive launch, the game has navigated through significant challenges, including a controversial reversal on PSN account requirements on Steam, fluctuating review scores due to community feedback, and ongoing debates over game balance with nerfs and buffs.
Arrowhead has faced the daunting task of managing an unexpectedly large and diverse player base. Now, 14 months after Helldivers 2 launched on PC and PlayStation 5, the developer is reflecting on its journey. The question remains: has Arrowhead mastered the demanding landscape of live-service gaming? Following the intriguing Killzone collaboration, could a partnership with Warhammer 40,000 be on the horizon?
To delve deeper into these questions, IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Bolle, the production director of Helldivers 2, to gain insights into Arrowhead's experiences and future plans.