The timing couldn’t be higher. Simply days after the Helldivers 2 group mourned the lack of fan-favourite map Malevelon Creek, it has emerged there may be a single developer at Arrowhead pulling the strings of the galactic warfare like a D&D dungeon grasp.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt pulled again the curtain ever so barely on Helldivers 2’s vastly fashionable meta narrative that sees the forces of Tremendous Earth (gamers) battle towards alien bugs and bots for management of the galaxy, revealing a developer known as Joel is steering the ship from behind the scenes.
“We now have an precise particular person [Joel] with the job title of Sport Master,” Pilestedt stated. “We now have a lot of programs constructed into the recreation the place the Sport Master has a lot of management over the play expertise. It is one thing that we’re repeatedly evolving based mostly on what’s occurring in the recreation. And as a part of the roadmap, there are issues that we wish to maintain secret as a result of we wish to shock and delight.”
Ever since launch, Helldivers 2 gamers have puzzled to what extent group actions direct the “liberation” of the galaxy. Whereas gamers can see the standing of planets and even sectors change as they play, and may even see their tiny optimistic contribution once they full operations, what’s clear now could be Joel is the brains behind the ongoing marketing campaign, and even steps in to alter issues once they go in sudden instructions.
“There have been some sudden moments the place possibly one planet was too simple or one was too arduous and [Joel] needed to rise up in the center of the evening to provide the Automatons a little bit of reinforcements so the gamers do not take [the planet] too rapidly,” Pilestedt revealed.
The Helldivers 2 group has reacted to this revelation in typical style: by memeing the hell out of it. And, coming so quickly after the shock fall of Malevelon Creek, Joel is now in the firing line. Gamers had puzzled why the planet, dubbed ‘House Vietnam’ by the group, was miraculously made accessible to play once more after it had grew to become inaccessible by falling to the Automatons. Maybe that was one other center of the evening alarm for poor Joel.
“I misplaced 30,000 troopers in Malevelon Creek and the Sport Master simply fucking watched.” pic.twitter.com/VT97bdYP7o
— ✨🇺🇸PrinceofNature🇺🇸✨ (@PrinceofNature9) February 29, 2024
Joel when he sees Helldivers have reached a 99.97% conquered standing on Malevelon Creek pic.twitter.com/QMoPVWwawY
— 𝕏ANDER (@actionxander) February 29, 2024
Helldivers 2’s galactic warfare is a single, ongoing meta narrative followers have had enjoyable role-playing with since the recreation’s explosive launch. Presently there are not any significant rewards straight tied to the liberation of sectors (all gamers get 12,500 Requisition if eight defend campaigns are received towards the Automatons, however that is not a lot of an incentive), so it’s all simply a little bit of enjoyable.
However what occurs if Tremendous Earth loses the present main order, which expires at present? Will Malevelon Creek and different planets in the sector go darkish? Will Tremendous Earth situation a retreat order? Will the Automatons inch nearer to Tremendous Earth, opening up new sectors to play? Discovering out is all a part of the enjoyable.
In a tweet, Pilestedt adopted as much as clarify a bit extra about Joel’s position, which revolves round deciding which main order takes place, what each day is energetic, and the place the enemies assault. “The warfare fought and liberation of planets – that is all you!” Pilestedt clarified.
“We will additionally reinforce planets if wanted and provides non permanent gear to the complete group! Pilestedt continued, “and different stuff we have not revealed but.”
Now Arrowhead seems to have sorted out Helldivers 2’s server points, it has time to return to its unique post-launch plan, so hopefully we’ll get an concept of what to anticipate when it comes to new content material quickly. Should you’re taking part in, you’ll want to try IGN’s complete Helldivers 2 information.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.