The boss of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has denied a current hearsay that Sony is shopping for the studio.
Whereas Helldivers 2 is printed by Sony Interactive Leisure, Swedish studio Arrowhead stays an unbiased firm. However following Helldivers 2’s explosive success throughout PlayStation 5 and PC, rumors have emerged that Sony has made a transfer to accumulate Arrowhead.
Responding to a tweet from an account that reposted the hearsay and even created a Sony ‘welcome to the household’ picture to spice up the submit, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt said: “That is pretend… Until I’ve missed one thing. Additionally, a very sh***y outdated brand from 2008 or so once we simply began the studio.”
That is the primary I hear of this… And that is a very good indication that it is pretend.
Additionally, very outdated brand.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) March 6, 2024
Pilestedt responded to a different tweet that posted the identical picture alongside a message hoping for the acquisition. “That is the primary I hear of this,” Pilestedt said. “And that is a very good indication that it is pretend. Additionally, very outdated brand.”
Pilestedt had beforehand replied to a tweet to make clear that Helldivers 2 was not developed by a Sony-owned studio, saying: “We aren’t owned. We’re independently owned!” Then: “I imply… We’re owned, however solely by the founders (together with me) of the studio.”
I imply… We’re owned, however solely by the founders (together with me) of the studio.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) March 4, 2024
Final month, Sony introduced a big spherical of layoffs affecting round 900 workers, or about 8% of its world PlayStation workforce. The layoffs have an effect on numerous PlayStation studios, together with Insomniac, Naughty Canine, Guerrilla, Firesprite, and, most importantly, PlayStation’s London studio, which is closing totally. Alongside the layoffs, numerous in-development video games had been canceled, together with a Twisted Metallic live-service recreation.
Arrowhead was based in 2008 by a gaggle of scholars who went on to launch Magicka, The Showdown Impact, and Gauntlet. The primary Helldivers recreation launched in 2015, printed by Sony for PlayStation platforms and PC. Helldivers 2, nonetheless, is Arrowhead’s largest recreation thus far, and Sony’s largest ever PC recreation launch.
There’s lots occurring on the earth of Helldivers 2, together with a current new technique that includes hugging and the sport’s first steadiness patch. The galactic conflict continues, after all, as gamers await the arrival of mechs. This week, IGN reported on how Helldivers 2 has develop into one of many shock hits of 2024 since launching in February, topping the charts on Steam and (*2*). In accordance with at the least one analyst, it is nonetheless rising. Take a look at IGN’s Helldivers 2 overview to seek out out why it is happening so nicely, in addition to the greatest loadouts.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.