Helldivers 2 Sees Massive Player Count Surge as Illuminate Invade Super Earth
In a major update to the popular game Helldivers 2, the Illuminate aliens have launched an invasion of Super Earth, bringing with it a surge in player count. According to Forbes, the game’s developer, Arrowhead, has released a new update that includes new weapons, new Illuminate units, and new city maps, as the community bands together to push out the aliens and save the homeworld.
The update, which went live recently, has seen a significant spike in player count, with Forbes reporting that the game has reached 124,000 players and climbing, with the site’s own data suggesting that the game may be on track to surpass its previous peak of 150,000 concurrent players on Steam. This is a significant increase, especially considering that the game’s typical daily player count is around 30,000-50,000.
The invasion of Super Earth event is a major storyline development in the game, with the Illuminate aliens attempting to exterminate mankind. As Forbes notes, "it’s one of Helldivers 2’s biggest updates since launch, possibly its biggest period." The update has brought new challenges and opportunities for players, with the game’s community coming together to defend Super Earth against the alien invasion.
The success of Helldivers 2 is a notable exception to the trend of live-service games failing to maintain player interest over time. As Forbes observes, "even during a ‘bad stretch’ Helldivers 2 is still doing 30,000 players a day at worst, and closer to 50,000-70,000 at nightly peaks." This is a testament to the game’s engaging gameplay and the developer’s commitment to releasing regular updates with new content.
The game’s developer, Arrowhead, has announced that its next game will not be in collaboration with Sony and will instead be 100% funded and published by the studio itself. This is a significant development, as it suggests that the studio has gained a degree of independence and financial security thanks to the success of Helldivers 2.
As Forbes notes, "it’s a little hard to imagine what story narrative could top the literal invasion of Super Earth by the Illuminate." The game’s meta storyline has been a major draw for players, and the invasion of Super Earth event is likely to be a major turning point in the game’s narrative.
In conclusion, the invasion of Super Earth event in Helldivers 2 has brought a surge in player count and a new level of excitement to the game. With its engaging gameplay, regular updates, and dedicated community, Helldivers 2 is a live-service game that continues to thrive. As Forbes suggests, "now is the time to jump in and see what’s going on if you’re a lapsed player that may not have played since closer to launch or the last big update."
