One of the biggest issues when it comes to a live service game is how long the developer will support it. Additional content is the supporting pillar of a live service game, and with so many coming out on a monthly basis, it’s very hard to hold onto a player base.
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Helldivers 2 was once an uplifting and collaborative live-service gem, but since launch, the community has become a hotbed of outrage.
Games like Overwatch 2 have seen their player count plummet due to lack of content, while Marvel Rivals has managed to hold onto its player for longer than any other recent multiplayer game. While it isn’t always up to the developers, a strong roll out plan is key. Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead’s CEO has said that support will depend on if people continue to play the game.
Helldivers Forever
While the wait was long and things were starting to get a bit stale, The Omens of Tyranny update saw the player count of Helldivers 2 skyrocket. Players returned in droves to fight to Illuminate, drive around in vehicles, and stab enemies with melee weapons. But can the game continue to keep the community engaged like this?
When asked on Discord (via SilentSun291on Reddit) about the future plans of Helldivers 2, and if there is a date in mind for ending support, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani replied, “as long as people play, pay and we can build a business case around it we’ll support it to hell and back. If we can keep it going for 10 years we will.”
Of course, there are multiple factors when it comes to continuous support for a live service game, and players is the main one. While you can buy Warbonds with in-game currency, Arrowhead will need to continue making money on the game if it is to continue supporting it, so the occasional real-money purchase goes a long way in supporting a game you love too. Lastly, it needs to be viable for business. Arrowhead can’t run itself into the ground supporting Helldivers 2 if it doesn’t make business sense.
It’s evident that there’s a willingness to support the game for a long time. However, it’s not as easy as simply choosing to do so. There are several factors at play, and Jorjani has illustrated them in his comment.
Game director Johan Pilestedt, who is now on sabbatical, previously mentioned that the team has planned for Helldivers 2 to eventually grow into Helldivers 3, so Arrowhead is thinking long term.
