Arrowhead, the developers behind the hit game Helldivers 2, have recently addressed fan concerns about potentially shifting focus away from the game to work on their next project, referred to as "Game 6." In a candid discussion on the official Helldivers Discord, following the launch of the full-scale Illuminate invasion, CEO Shams Jorjani reassured the community about the studio's commitment to Helldivers 2.
Jorjani expressed gratitude for the support from players, stating, "The wonderful thing is that thanks to the amazing support of you FINE people Arrowhead's future is quite bright and we have the freedom to explore some really cool concepts that we couldn't have otherwise. Game 6 (our next project) will happen the way it will happen thanks to you." However, this comment led to some fans worrying that resources might be pulled away from Helldivers 2 prematurely.
Quick to dispel these concerns, Jorjani clarified, "Nah. It's ALL Helldivers 2 for now. A very, very small team will spin up something later this year and go at it sloowly. Helldivers is our main focus and will be for a loooong time." He emphasized that the longevity of Helldivers 2's content updates would depend on continued player engagement and the purchase of Super Credits, the in-game currency used to buy Premium Warbonds. Jorjani noted a positive turnaround in the game's development trajectory, thanks to the community's support.
In response to a fan's request for Arrowhead's next game to be accessible in all regions, avoiding the region-locking issues faced by Helldivers 2, Jorjani revealed that "The next game is 100% funded by ourselves so we'll call 100% of those shots." This statement implies that Arrowhead will have full control over their next project, suggesting it won't be a sequel to Helldivers 2 and might not involve Sony or any other publisher.
Discussing the development process of Game 6, Jorjani contrasted it with the "rough" eight-year development of Helldivers 2, stating Arrowhead's intention to focus on nailing the "core s**t" early on. He explained, "For the most part of the development cycle games plain suck. Very seldom are they truly fun from the get-go. And for Helldivers taking eight years to make it was rough for the longest time. But it came together in the end. The ONLY way to know is to playtest playtest playtest. For our next game we're doing things in a much smarter way and nailing a lot of the core s**t early on (as you should) then make the rest."
These sentiments align with previous statements from Arrowhead's developers, who have expressed a desire for Helldivers 2 to remain a vibrant game for years. The game's success is undeniable, having become the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever, with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks. Despite facing challenges such as the reversal of PSN account requirements on Steam, review-bomb campaigns, and balancing issues, the enthusiasm at Arrowhead remains strong.
Alex Bolle, the production director on Helldivers 2, shared with IGN their vision for the game's future: "we want it to be around for years and years and years to come." He highlighted the importance of staying true to the Helldivers 2 fantasy while continuously innovating, "The more we figure out how to thrive in a live environment, and we still have a way to go to figure out a lot of things around that, the more we can let creativity loose on new systems that we would've never thought about a year ago when we released."
Recent leaks, including one from PlayStation, suggest exciting developments on the horizon, such as the potential addition of Super Earth as a playable map, as the Illuminate storyline progresses.
