Summary

  • 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
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9 /10
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Released
February 8, 2024
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.

URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.

Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.

BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.

LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.

REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.

THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.

THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.

We stand together, or we fall apart. 

Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
Publisher(s)
Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
Franchise
Helldivers
Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
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