By Sagar V. Mankar 
Helldivers 2 has reached another significant milestone, solidifying its position as one of 2024’s most successful games. During the recent Golden Joystick Awards, the cooperative multiplayer shooter by Arrowhead Game Studios was awarded Best Multiplayer Game, and the developers took the opportunity to share exciting news: the game now boasts over 15 million players worldwide.
This announcement marks a remarkable leap from May 2024, when the game reported 12 million players. The developers’ focus on post-launch support and regular updates has undoubtedly contributed to maintaining this momentum.
A Year of Unstoppable Growth
Released on February 8, 2024, Helldivers II quickly became a global phenomenon. Within three months, it sold 12 million copies, earning the title of PlayStation’s fastest-selling game and establishing itself as a major hit on PC. By May, the game became a best-seller in regions like Europe, the UK, and Canada.
Its transformation from a top-down shooter into a third-person perspective game, while preserving its cooperative essence, captivated a wide audience. The game regularly sees 30,000 to 75,000 concurrent players on Steam, placing it among the platform’s most popular titles. This sustained engagement has kept it within Steam’s top 100 bestsellers.
Despite some early controversies, including a backlash over PlayStation Network accounts (PSN) requirement for PC players, the game overcame initial challenges. Sony reversed the requirement, addressing players’ concerns and helping the game regain its footing. Later, weapon nerfs in the game caused further unrest, but Arrowhead addressed these concerns with a significant patch in October that rebalanced weapons and restored the game’s chaotic, fun essence.
What’s Next for Helldivers 2?
As the game celebrates its milestones, Arrowhead Game Studios has ambitious plans to expand its team and accelerate content updates. The developers aim to position Helldivers as an iconic franchise alongside PlayStation heavyweights like God of War and Uncharted.
However, the game remains exclusive to PC and PlayStation 5, with no confirmed plans for an Xbox release. Earlier comments from Arrowhead’s community manager suggested the decision rested with Sony and Microsoft. However, industry insiders like Shpeshal Nick now claim that plans for an Xbox port were dropped due to financial considerations.
Sources: GamesRadar, Steam Community, Golden Joystick Awards.