With the industry being as volatile as it is now, publishers and developers must find new ways to monetize and provide value to players to keep them coming back. Released on Friday from developer Arrowhead Studios, Helldivers 2 had a huge weekend, doing things a little differently than its service rivals, which may be part of the reason for its success.
On Twitter, creative director Johan Billstedt He had an interesting take on the subject, suggesting that “you have to earn the right to monetize”, which is one of the main differences when it comes to a chaotic co-op shooter; People are free to support the game if they like it, but we “never force anyone to do so.” Although there are microtransactions in Helldivers 2 in the form of Super Credits, players can choose this premium currency as they play or unlock more through the Warbonds progression system. Furthermore, unlockable weapons or cosmetic items will not be locked seasonally, and players will have the freedom to work through them at their leisure.
Helldivers 2 is looking to be a huge success for Sony, and as a solid service game and a compelling shooter, it's something PlayStation players have been screaming for. There are still some unfortunate server-side issues that need to be resolved. However, once the launch pressures subside, we could see ourselves returning to Arrowhead long-term in the future, especially if the developer's ambitious roadmap pans out.
“Web specialist. Lifelong zombie maven. Coffee ninja. Hipster-friendly analyst.”
