Highlights

  • Helldivers 2's unexpected popularity guarantees more content soon, but PvP is ruled out due to toxicity concerns.
  • Arrowhead Studios CEO defends avoiding PvP to maintain cooperative atmosphere for Helldivers 2 fans.
  • Players suggest Helldivers 2 could benefit from unique PvP modes like controlling enemy factions or a battle royale.

Helldivers 2’s unexpected popularity most likely means that it’s safe to expect more content for the game in the near future. However, fans who have been hoping for a particular game mode to be introduced in future updates for Helldivers 2 recently got some bad news. Specifically, the CEO of the development studio behind Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Studios, has gone on record publicly saying that there are no plans to bring dedicated PvP game modes to Helldivers 2.

While it makes sense that a cooperative multiplayer game such as Helldivers 2 doesn’t feature any form of competitive PvP, it seems like a missed opportunity not to bring this kind of content to the game after fans have expressed interest in it. Even though it’s already been shot down, Arrowhead Studios should arguably reconsider adding PvP to Helldivers 2 at some point down the road.

Helldivers Premium War Bond Pass Battle Pass with logo edit
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The Argument for a PvP Game Mode in Helldivers 2

Recently, in an interaction between a fan and the CEO of Arrowhead Studios on X/Twitter, it was revealed that there is currently no intention of adding PvP game modes to Helldivers 2. In the studio's response to the fan, Arrowhead Studios' CEO expressed that adding PvP would inevitably bring toxicity to the game’s community, so to maintain the game’s cooperative atmosphere, this meant avoiding any dedicated PvP game modes.

While the concerns about the negative consequences of bringing PvP into Helldivers 2 are valid and understandable, it still feels like a missed opportunity to not even experiment with the positive consequences of introducing PvP game modes. Considering how satisfying the Stratagems and weapons in Helldivers 2 are to use, the game already has a great third-person-shooter gameplay foundation, which arguably makes it seem like such a perfect platform for PvP multiplayer that’s just waiting to happen.

How PvP Could Work In Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 Missing PvP Game Mode

Helldivers 2 Should Let Players Take Control of the Enemy Factions

Outside of a standard approach to PvP (like team deathmatch, free-for-all, etc.,) an existing feature in Helldivers 2 could come into play to potentially provide a unique PvP experience, which is the different enemy types in Helldivers 2. Specifically, Helldivers 2 could benefit from introducing a game mode inspired by another classic co-op shooter’s PvP, Left 4 Dead, where players can join the enemy team and take control of special enemy types to fight players and attempt to stop them from completing standard missions.

The enemies in Helldivers 2 are already quite resilient, especially on Helldivers 2’s higher difficulties, but adding other invading players into the mix adds an extra layer of tension and difficulty that NPCs don’t quite offer. There’s already a wide variety of unique enemies in Helldivers 2 between the Automatons and Terminid factions that players can currently encounter, most of which would seemingly be quite fun to play firsthand.

Helldiver’s 2 Has the Perfect Blueprint for a Battle Royale Game Mode

Admittedly, Helldivers 2’s foundations as an extraction shooter highlight the potential for a battle royale game mode. With an approach to a battle royale similar to CoD: DMZ, Helldivers 2 could have the best of both worlds between PvP and PvE. Specifically, players could be able to encounter other teams while completing missions and choose to either group up with their newfound allies or attempt to fight each other for a chance to steal the other team's loot.

Given the existing foundations and the community’s support for Helldivers 2, now might be the best time to experiment with bringing PvP modes to the game. Ultimately, PvP in Helldivers 2 in any way, shape, or form, seems like money left on the table for Arrowhead Studios not to reconsider at this point.