The unstoppable Helldivers 2 war machine continues unabated, and our latest intelligence suggests that Swedish developer Arrowhead Games Studios has successfully deployed more than eight million copies since making simultaneous planetfall on PS5 and PC last month.
That's according to TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz (thanks, VGC), who spoke to Bloomberg and stated: "We believe the game has performed well ahead of expectations." Incredibly, recruitment numbers continue to rise weekly, thanks to positive word of mouth, exciting guerilla marketing style, and a seemingly unflinching internal design philosophy (Arrowhead's studio motto is "a game for everyone is a game for no one").
It seems like the PC crowd has just edged out the PlayStation faithful in terms of a player majority and preferred platform, although thanks to crossplay, the rising tide continues to benefit both. While a service game finding meteoric success isn't much to get excited about in and of itself, Helldivers 2's hardcore sensibilities give us hope for Sony's live future, and we expect to continue serving Super Earth for several years to come.
Are you surprised by Creutz's sales estimate? Is it lower or higher than you were expecting? Do you find your Democratic fervour has lessened over time or only increased in strength? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source bloomberg.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 37
I hoped it would sell 5 million over it's life time at best...but never this many this soon.
I loved the first Helldivers and was very skeptical about the switch to 3rd person. Honestly didn't think it would perform well at all. Boy was I wrong.
Honestly, I saw the game, and wanted to try it, but normally online multiplayer is not for me...
That being said a buddy and I took the plunge together and we have been having a blast.
The game is so fun, and even though some of the mission types can be repetitive, the way the hordes spawn, make it different each time.
I assume Arrowhead's future project (if it's alongside or under Sony) will be a closely managed, and a high quality cultivated experience. This will probably be the biggest game released this year outside of annualized multiplayer titles, no? They're going to have a wide, positive reputation. I bet they'll use that to get great investment in their next endeavor.
I always had a good feeling about Helldivers II, but to see it do this well this soon is crazy.
@zhoont Palworld is near 20M sales last i heard so Helldivers 2 has already been "beaten" not that it matters mind as 8M is incredible for the game and that number will only grow.
I've been playing this game as much as I can. I really like it. The game is fun and it's generous. To give you an idea of how hooked I am. I've had Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth sitting unplayed on my PS5, which is a travesty because I have been looking forward to that game ever since Remake came out.
@zhoont Too soon to think about their next game. HD 1 was very small and got 4 years of content. HD 2 took 8 years of development and it is the CEO's dreams game so one would think ArrowHead will put all their focus on this game for the next half a decade. They are already recruiting devs with real life guns experience to make new weapons for HD.
Awesome game. Had a right blast Saturday night with a couple of friends. My long suffering wingman shockwave1982 just bought it and had his first foray into spreading democracy and he's hooked. I bought the cutting edge pack to show some gratitude to the devs for providing me with some much needed laughter. Bravo arrowhead 👍
@DennisReynolds good point, I forgot about Palworld
@Northern_munkey If you're ever in need of another helldiver to spread democracy, please do add me Warspite2901 Kent, UK.
@Jayslow The fact that it switched to 3rd person is actually the sole reason me and my friends got interested. So, I can see it influence their success. Then again, I'm in a very "dislike all 1st person games" gamer bubble.
@zhoont Honestly it speaks volumes that the two biggest games so far this year are an indie game and a AA game. It really makes a mockery of Suicide Squad and Skull and Bones.
@Warspite2901 will do buddy 👍
Still won't touch this game until they get rid of the malware known as gameguard and use EAC as the anticheat instead.
Sony live service games are here to stay after the massive success of Helldriver 2. Sony just got to make sure they’re service games are high quality like they’re single player games.
Not played this for a while as ive been hooked on FF rebirth but as soon as im done with it im back to spreading democracy and insect guts. Amazing game.
it’s alright..it feels like i’m forcing myself to play because of all the hype, & i realize im just more of a PVP type of person. Co-op only interests me if it’s through a campaign i guess.
@Jay767 more live service games would just spread out the player base
I have no idea what the motto means! It makes absolutely no sense. Surely a game that attracts more players is the game you want to make, yes? Otherwise, make a game like Golem, as that really is a game for no one.
Totally baffled by the motto... 😂
@nomither6 not for everyone
@Toot1st people can play more than one game even live service games lol.
Might be Sony biggest selling game this year
@zhoont So did everyone else 😂
Finally took the plunge on Friday as I was a bit sceptical of the co-op side of things, but been having a tonne of fun with it! But theres a couple of big issues need sorting asap,
Ive not been able to add any of my friends on PC via friend request, and having to resort to picking a planet, a finding a mission we all have at the same time and try to join, so not ideal at all for a co-op game, hopefully this gets sorted asap.
@Fiendish-Beaver I think it is to communicate that they are not out to please everyone and add things that appeal to groups. The way I read it is, "Person: You should add XYZ to the game so I can [insert whatever]. Devs: Go fly a kite, we're making the game, not you."
Mind you, that is just my two cents. I know no one asked haha
@Fiendish-Beaver Yeah, I think what they’re trying to say is “You can’t please everyone all the time.”
I haven’t played the game, but it does seem very focused and restrictive in its vision, I think. Games that try to do too much and cater to everyone will inevitably be “jack of all trades, master of none”
Interestingly, the early impressions are that Rise of the Ronin might be falling into this trap. It is reported that it tries to mix Nioh and Wo Long combat with open world exploration like Ghost of Tsushima and it does neither genre quite as well as its predecessors and comes across a little bland as a result. (This is me interpreting the previews, I’m not saying I feel that way)
But as far as Helldivers 2, I think they did stick to their philosophy and not try to please everyone; I’m a case-in-point since the game really doesn’t interest me that much because I prefer single player story driven components to my third person shooters. If they would have tacked on a SP campaign, perhaps I would have been more hyped to try it, but in all likelihood that would have made it a weaker game and not seen this amount of success. But who knows.
"a game for everyone is a game for no one"
It's a true quote. Some developers & publisher's would be wise to take this advice.
@Fiendish-Beaver
"Surely a game that attracts more players is the game you want to make, yes?"
You mean this make's no sense. You cannot make a game for "everyone", it's literally impossible. Dark Souls, COD, COD Zombies is a good example of that. COD Zombies tried making a zombie game for "everyone", the game mode is no where near as good as it use to be. The only Zombies maps I'll play are the originals & chronicles maps.
This game is mental and so much fun. It really is a brilliant co-op experience. So much negativity from people who haven't even played it is just mind blowing. Best £35 I've spent in a long time.
I rarely buy games at launch and never really play any live service outside of FF14. I wanted to see what the fuss is about and started last week…I’ve never enjoyed an online game like this. I hope the content continues - excited to see how it evolves
Arrowheads slogan is true. Even Miyazaki had once stated as much, and I’ve said the same for years. By trying to be an attractive product to everyone, you effectively diminish quality to an unsalvageable extent. Arrowhead knew what they wanted to make, then released it. They just happened to make a game that many many people respect and love. Passion sells.
@nomither6 coop games like this are my jam. Interestingly I don’t feel the need to play, just the occasional desire to do so. They designed the game in a way that doesn’t punish you for not playing, but still rewards your investment. Live services should follow this model, let people make their own progress at their own pace and they’ll enjoy your product more.
@DeathlySW i can dig that
I think you are missing what I was getting at, @DanteDevilHunter; surely the aim should be to make a game that as many people as possible want to play. The idea that a game that attracts the most people is something that you do not wish to make just seems a really odd concept. Yes, I absolutely understand that you cannot possibly make a game that everyone wants to play, but surely you should be aiming for as bigger audience as possible. This motto seems to suggest that they want to make a really niche game that only a few would want to play. The motto just makes no sense...
You may well be right, @JuiceboxMeister. I think they are trying to make the game theywant, rather than appealing to the masses. Still seems a really contradictory comment though... 😂
Still think Sony should bring it to Xbox I really do it's a Live Service game that's actually done it and broke that stigma and a game everyone should enjoy. Yes it's on PC but not many have a PC but it's a fantastic fun game that everyone should be able to play and I own a PS5 and PC my last Xbox is a 360
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