"Helldivers 2 Update Boosts Player Numbers After Decline"

Helldivers 2 has seen a remarkable resurgence in its Steam player base following the release of the Escalation of Freedom update, which has effectively doubled the game's concurrent player numbers. Just one day after the update, the game's player count surged from an average of 30,000 to a 24-hour peak of 62,819. This significant increase can be attributed to the comprehensive changes introduced by the update, including new enemies such as the Impaler and Rocket Tank, the challenging Super Helldive difficulty, and larger, more rewarding outposts. Additionally, the update brought new missions, objectives, anti-grief measures, and various quality-of-life enhancements, all of which have contributed to reigniting player interest.

The excitement doesn't stop there; the new Warbond, Helldivers 2's battle pass, is set to launch on Thursday, August 8, promising even more content to keep players engaged. However, despite the surge in player numbers, the update has not been without its critics. Some players have expressed dissatisfaction with the increased difficulty resulting from weapon nerfs and enemy buffs, feeling that these changes detract from the game's enjoyment. Reports of game-breaking bugs and crashes have also surfaced, contributing to a wave of negative reviews. Despite these issues, Helldivers 2 maintains a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, though it's not the first time the game has faced such backlash.

Why Did Its Player Count Dip?

Before the recent surge, Helldivers 2 had experienced a decline in its player base. Despite maintaining a robust community on Steam with an average of 30,000 concurrent players daily since July, this number pales in comparison to the game's peak popularity. At its height, Helldivers 2 attracted hundreds of thousands of concurrent players on Steam, reaching a peak of 458,709. The decline began in May when Sony required players to link their Steam accounts to PlayStation Network, a move that excluded players from 177 countries without PSN access. Although Sony later reversed this decision, the affected regions remain unable to play Helldivers 2.

Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, has acknowledged the ongoing efforts to resolve this issue, but three months on, the problem persists. For more insights into Pilestedt's statements and the player backlash following Helldivers 2's delisting in numerous countries, check out the article below.