Highlights
- Helldivers 2 announces Major Order "Operation Enduring Peace" to destroy a planet using Dark Fluid weapon.
- Success of Helldivers 2 as Sony's fastest-selling game overshadowed by initial server issues and backlash.
- Community reacts to challenging Major Orders, leading to discussions on player engagement, content repetition, and game balance.
Helldivers 2 has just announced a new Major Order, "Operation Enduring Peace," tasking players with destroying a planet using weaponized Dark Fluid. Since its release in February 2024, Helldivers 2 has quickly become Sony’s fastest-selling PlayStation game ever. Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, this co-op shooter has seen tremendous success but also faced significant challenges. The game's initial launch was met with server issues and backlash over the mandatory PlayStation Network account linking for PC players.
Arrowhead Game Studios’ new CEO Shams Jorjani recently outlined his vision for Helldivers 2, emphasizing sustainable development and community engagement. In light of recent controversies over balance updates, Jorjani has committed to improving game quality and fostering a supportive community. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the game’s success and the need for a more measured approach to updates.
Helldivers 2 is Making a Change to its Updates
Helldivers 2 community manager Twinbeard announces that the devs are planning to change patch release timelines to maintain overall quality.
The latest Major Order, "Operation Enduring Peace," announced via the Helldivers 2 official X (formerly Twitter) account, requires players to destroy the Meridia Supercolony using experimental weaponized Dark Fluid. This mission underscores the high stakes in the ongoing Galactic War, emphasizing the dire need to eradicate the Terminids, despite the tragic destruction of an entire planet. This Major Order is designed to push players to their limits, testing their coordination and commitment to the cause. The X post also includes a reveal trailer for the Major Order showing Helldivers fighting the Terminids.
New Helldivers 2 Major Order Requires Destroying Meridia
The community’s reaction to Major Orders has been mixed, with around 60% of these high-stakes missions being successful. However, the all-or-nothing nature of these objectives can be frustrating. Some Major Orders, like the one to unlock the Anti-Tank Mines Stratagem, have been extremely close to completion but ultimately failed, leaving players without the rewards they worked hard for. This has led to discussions about the need for more balanced and achievable goals in Helldivers 2 Major Orders to maintain player engagement and morale.
The failure of the recent Major Orders has raised concerns about declining player counts in Helldivers 2 and the repetitiveness of content. The most recent Major Order’s failure, despite a near 90% completion rate, suggests a potential drop in player engagement. Arrowhead Studios may need to adjust the difficulty and frequency of these orders to keep the player base motivated. If the current trend continues, it could undermine the cooperative spirit that is central to Helldivers 2’s gameplay.
Additionally, the downtime between Major Orders in Helldivers 2 is becoming a significant issue. This gap disrupts the community's momentum and organization, which are crucial for the success of the Galactic War. Arrowhead Studios might consider reducing this downtime or introducing multiple concurrent Major Orders to keep players continuously engaged. Balancing content updates and quality-of-life improvements will be essential for the long-term health of Helldivers 2, ensuring that it remains a compelling and dynamic experience for its dedicated player base.
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.
