Arrowhead, the developers behind Helldivers 2, have reassured fans that the game remains their primary focus, dispelling concerns about shifting attention to their next project, codenamed "Game 6."
As reported by VG247, CEO Shams Jorjani addressed the community on the official Helldivers Discord after the massive Illuminate invasion launch this week.
“Thanks to your incredible support, Arrowhead has the opportunity to explore exciting new ideas that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Game 6, our next venture, is moving forward because of you,” Jorjani stated.
One fan expressed concern that the comment implied Arrowhead was diverting significant resources from Helldivers 2.
Jorjani swiftly clarified: "Not at all. Helldivers 2 is our main priority right now. A very small team will start exploring something new later this year at a gradual pace. Helldivers 2 will remain our focus for the long haul."
How long will content updates for Helldivers 2 continue?
"As long as players keep engaging and purchasing Super Credits, we’ll keep delivering,” Jorjani said, referring to the game’s virtual currency for Premium Warbonds. "Last summer, things looked uncertain, but with your support, we’ve turned things around, and the future looks promising."
In response to a fan’s call to avoid region-locking issues seen with the Sony-published Helldivers 2, Jorjani added: "Our next game is fully self-funded, so we’ll have complete control over those decisions." This suggests Arrowhead is moving forward independently, ruling out a Sony partnership and indicating the next project is not Helldivers 3.
Discussing Game 6 and its development approach compared to Helldivers 2’s challenging eight-year journey, Jorjani said Arrowhead aims to perfect the "core elements" early on this time.
"Most games feel rough during development and rarely shine from the start,” Jorjani explained. “Helldivers 2 took eight tough years to come together. The key is relentless playtesting. For our next project, we’re working smarter, focusing on nailing the essentials first before building the rest."
This aligns with earlier statements from Arrowhead developers, who’ve expressed their goal for Helldivers 2 to thrive for years. Notably, Helldivers 2 holds the record as PlayStation Studios’ fastest-selling game, with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks, a milestone unlikely to be surpassed by any first-party Sony title. Despite controversies, including the reversal of PSN account requirements on Steam, review-bombing, and debates over balance changes, Arrowhead’s enthusiasm for the game remains strong.
Alex Bolle, Helldivers 2’s production director, recently told IGN, “We’re committed to supporting it for years to come.”
“How do we keep the Helldivers 2 experience true to its roots, challenging enough to introduce exciting new features and systems while staying authentic? That’s what drives us for the future,” Bolle said.
“As we grow more adept at operating in a live-service environment, we’re unlocking new creative possibilities we couldn’t have imagined a year ago at launch. I’ve worked on live games before, and it’s thrilling to adapt innovative ideas from other titles to fit our unique vision. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Recent leaks, including one from PlayStation, hint at the upcoming release of Super Earth as a playable map, with the Illuminate reaching the home planet soon.
