The boss of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has mentioned the sport’s microtransactions, insisting the sport shouldn’t be ‘pay-to-win.’
Helldivers 2 is a $39.99 co-op shooter by which gamers workforce up to battle alien bugs and terrifying automatons. It’s gone down notably effectively with gamers, turning into Sony’s largest ever launch on PC after hitting no less than 360,000 peak concurrent gamers throughout PlayStation 5 and Steam.
Nonetheless, there’s some debate about Helldivers 2’s monetisation. The sport includes a free and premium battle go, each of which embrace gadgets that have an effect on gameplay. Some weapons and armour, for instance, are restricted to the $9.99 premium battle go. There are additionally gameplay-affecting gadgets out there for direct buy through a digital forex purchased with real-world cash. The in-game store rotates what’s on the market every day, so there is a component of worry of lacking out (FOMO) at play right here.
It’s vital to notice, nevertheless, that Helldivers 2’s digital forex (medals, tremendous credit and many others) might be obtained purely via gameplay, though doing so might be painfully gradual. It’s additionally value stating that Helldivers 2 is a pure co-op sport for up to 4 gamers. There isn’t any player-versus-player mode.
Nonetheless, that hasn’t stopped some from suggesting there’s a whiff of “pay-to-win” about Helldivers 2. Enter Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt, who took to Twitter / X to handle the priority. “I am partial however we actually utilized ourselves to not make it p2w regardless that gadgets are functionally completely different,” he stated. “The one merchandise that is p2w is the revolver – which can win you any ‘cool gun’ competitors. Solely (minor) downside is that it is not that good.”
Then, (*2*), Pilestedt stated: “You will have to earn the precise to monetize.” “I actually imagine that,” he continued. “If folks need to assist this title they’ve an possibility, however we’re by no means forcing anybody to achieve this.”
Typically talking, Helldivers 2 gamers are in settlement. Certainly, after a tough launch, Steam customers have given it a ‘largely constructive’ person assessment ranking. PS5 critiques are equally constructive.
The place there isn’t a doubt that Helldivers 2 is struggling is with login points and development not monitoring correctly. Pilestedt issued an apology to gamers and defined how servers had struggled to deal with the onslaught of gamers. In the meantime, Helldivers 2 gamers have already established an “unstated” co-op etiquette.
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.