Helldivers 2<\/em> is one of the biggest hits 2024 has seen so far and even more impressively than just its rise is the fact that the viral sensation has enjoyed its exploding popularity without one of modern gaming’s most dreaded phrases: Live service.<\/p>
Things on that front aren’t likely to change anytime soon either, with Arrowhead chief executive Johan Pilestedt declaring that while he does view Helldivers 2<\/em><\/a> as a live service title\u2014and while he\u2019s willing to embrace the label\u2014the priority for the sequel’s team has and always will be giving players a “full experience” with the original game.<\/p>
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Pilestedt, who spoke to PC Gamer<\/a> today, explained it’s important for the live service aspects of Helldivers 2<\/em> to go hand-in-hand with the base game players get for purchasing on launch, with the team gaming to provide \u201cseveral hours of good playtime\u201d straight out the gate, regardless of any updates. Going deeper, Pilestedt said he believes any monetization aspects of a live service title shouldn\u2019t factor into the base game and must be optional.<\/p>
Going forward there will be no shortage of live service titles arriving<\/a> on the market, but what Arrowhead\u2019s game has achieved is a sign that it doesn\u2019t always need to be a negative. Right now, Helldivers 2<\/em> has premium content that gives players new guns, outfits, and weapon variants for a one-time fee. These rewards can be earned by purchasing and completing warbonds, but the feature is entirely optional.<\/p>
