"Helldivers 2 to Remain Arrowhead's Main Focus for a Long Time, CEO Says"

Arrowhead Game Studios, the developers behind the hit game Helldivers 2, have reassured fans that they are not abandoning the game for their next project, known internally as "Game 6." This clarification comes after CEO Shams Jorjani spoke to the community on the official Helldivers Discord following the launch of the full-scale Illuminate invasion.

Jorjani emphasized the positive impact of the community's support, 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.” Despite this enthusiasm for future projects, Jorjani quickly dispelled concerns that Arrowhead was diverting resources away from Helldivers 2, saying, "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."

When asked about the longevity of Helldivers 2, Jorjani responded optimistically: "As long as you folks keep playing and buying Super Credits we can keep it going." He credited the community's support for turning around the studio's fortunes, which had looked bleak the previous summer. This ongoing support, particularly through the purchase of Super Credits used to acquire Premium Warbonds, ensures that Arrowhead can continue developing content for the game.

In an interesting twist, Jorjani also addressed concerns about region-locking, a contentious issue that Helldivers 2 faced due to its publishing by Sony. He assured fans that Arrowhead's next game, funded entirely by the studio, would be free from such restrictions: "The next game is 100% funded by ourselves so we'll call 100% of those shots." This statement implies that Game 6 will not be a sequel to Helldivers and will not involve Sony or any other external publisher.

Reflecting on the development process, Jorjani highlighted the challenges faced during the eight-year development of Helldivers 2, describing it as "rough." He stressed the importance of early playtesting and a more streamlined approach for Game 6: "For the most part of the development cycle games plain suck... 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 comments align with previous statements from Arrowhead's developers, who have expressed their desire for Helldivers 2 to remain a thriving game for years to come. As the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever, with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks, Helldivers 2 has faced its share of challenges, including controversies over PSN account requirements and community reactions to game updates. Despite these hurdles, Arrowhead's commitment to the game remains strong.

Alex Bolle, production director on Helldivers 2, shared his vision for the game's future with IGN, saying, “we want it to be around for years and years and years to come.” He discussed the balance between staying true to the game's core identity and introducing innovative features and systems, emphasizing the creative opportunities that come with managing a live game.

Recent leaks suggest exciting developments on the horizon, including the potential addition of Super Earth as a playable map, as the Illuminate faction advances toward our home planet. With Arrowhead's dedication to Helldivers 2 and the promise of new content, fans have much to look forward to.