The success story of Helldivers 2 continues to unfold with its recent triumphs at the BAFTA Game Awards, securing wins for Best Multiplayer and Best Music out of five nominations. These accolades mark a fitting conclusion to a stellar awards season for Swedish developer Arrowhead, capping off a year filled with remarkable achievements.
It's worth noting that Helldivers 2 has not only garnered critical acclaim but also achieved unprecedented commercial success. As the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever, it sold an astonishing 12 million copies within just 12 weeks of its release, setting a record unlikely to be surpassed by any first-party Sony-developed game.
Since its explosive launch, Helldivers 2 has navigated through a series of significant events, including a controversial U-turn on PSN account requirements on Steam, review-bomb campaigns, and a community often at odds with the game itself over balancing changes. Arrowhead has faced the challenge of managing a vastly larger and more mainstream playerbase than ever before.
Fourteen months after Helldivers 2 launched on PC and PlayStation 5, Arrowhead is reflecting on the journey so far. The developer is striving to master the demanding world of live-service gaming. Following the successful Killzone collaboration, speculation is rife about a potential partnership with Warhammer 40,000.
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Alex Bolle, the production director of Helldivers 2, shared insights into Arrowhead's experiences and future plans. This conversation sheds light on how the team is adapting to the challenges and opportunities that come with such widespread success.