Highlights

  • The next weapon balance patch for Helldivers 2 might take a little more time to be released as the devs aim to avoid previous controversy and better prepare for release.
  • Fan dissatisfaction over nerfs to favorite weapons has prompted the devs to reassess balance updates and listen to player feedback.
  • Despite past missteps, Arrowhead Game Studios is working toward addressing player concerns and improving global accessibility.

The developer of Helldivers 2 have announced that the next weapons balance patch will be delayed, as more time is needed to ensure it is properly prepared. Helldivers 2, a popular cooperative shooter by Arrowhead Game Studios, has faced significant controversy over its previous balance patches, which many players felt were too severe.

Even though it's a fairly new game, Helldivers 2's history of weapon balancing and updates has been a rollercoaster ride. The last Helldivers 2 patch introduced several nerfs, significantly reducing the effectiveness of popular weapons. For example, the Eruptor, once a fan-favorite weapon, saw its magazine capacity halved and its explosion damage reduced, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. This caused backlash from the player community, who felt that the changes diminished the fun of the game.

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Recently, community manager Thomas Petersson confirmed on the Helldivers 2 Discord that the development team needs more time to work on the upcoming patch. This statement was brief but clear: "More time. We're cooking." This announcement came in response to a query from a player about the patch's release timeline, indicating that the team is actively working on the update but is not ready to release it yet.

Helldivers 2 Devs Might Have Gone Too Far With the Balancing

The delay is partly due to the need to address previous patch issues more thoroughly. The developers are likely considering player feedback to restore some weapons' original appeal. Additionally, the team is also working on fixing other issues, such as the problematic spear targeting, which players have been vocal about. Helldivers 2's game director Johan Pilestedt acknowledged these concerns, admitting that the team might have "gone too far" with the nerfs. He emphasized the need to reassess their approach to balance updates to avoid removing enjoyable aspects of the game.

Fans and their feedback have always been important for Helldivers 2. For instance, in response to the backlash over mandatory PSN account linking for PC players, Steam began refunding Helldivers 2 players even if they had exceeded the standard two-hour playtime limit. The account linking requirement, which was announced by Sony and Arrowhead Game Studios, faced widespread criticism, particularly from players in regions without PSN access.

Though PSN account linking is no longer mandatory, the game remains delisted from more than 170 countries and regions. Helldivers 2 has partially been relisted on Steam in several countries following its previous delisting. Recently, territories like American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have seen the restrictions lifted, marking a step towards addressing the game's global unavailability. This shows that the devs are indeed trying to listen to the fans and their feedback. However, some players remain skeptical, recalling past Helldivers 2 updates that promised improvements but fell short.

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Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Games Studios for the PC and PlayStation 5 where players take control of a Helldiver set to protect the citizens of Super Earth by traveling to hostile alien worlds and destroying threats. Players undergo missions, defeat enemies, and use special items called Stratagems to help turn the tide of battle in this punishing release.

Franchise
Helldivers
Platform(s)
PC , PS5
Released
February 8, 2024
Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios
Publisher(s)
Sony