After fan outrage, Helldivers 2 boss promises better updates with 60-day roadmap

In response to the overwhelming outrage over the controversial Escalation of Freedom update in the Helldivers 2 community, game director Mikael Eriksson has now laid out a massive 60-day roadmap that he hopes will get the shooter into better shape.

Eriksson wrote a passionate message to Helldivers 2 players, directly addressing the controversy surrounding the update. In the August 13 message, Eriksson told fans, “What matters most now is action. Not talk.” What the Helldivers 2 Boss means that the developers are now working on a lot of changes to improve the game. They are trying to undo the serious balance changes, improve aspects of the quality of the game and optimize the performance.

Balance will be one of the most pressing changes implemented over the next 60 days, Eriksson promised, with “fun” being the overriding goal over “balance for balance’s sake.” This is a popular complaint with games like Helldivers 2where fans often worry about the popularity of weapons that are over-tuned.

Often, these types of changes are made to make the game more difficult, with developers challenging players to change their routine. In this case, the move has been poorly received by the wider player community.

Another big issue that Arrowhead wants to address is the way players and fire damage interact. Dealing with fire damage is an issue that Helldivers 2 for a long time, and many players attributed it to a bad gaming experience. But after the big Escalation update that ultimately didn’t deliver the fun players expected, it was high on the list of complaints.

Eriksson’s promise reflects the change in attitude between players and the Helldivers 2 devs. While they may want to interact positively, Helldivers 2 Fans want more of what they love, and they want the game to feel fun at launch. Arrowhead comes across as a team that wants to meet those expectations, but can’t seem to avoid disappointment as they try to please all fans at once.

The biggest concern is that Helldivers 2 is stuck in a negative feedback loop with its developers and fans, with the endless back-and-forth exhausting many. Some are so blasé that they have already stated that they expect these changes to take 60+ days. Others have admitted that they are going to take a break instead.

The dynamics of the relationship between Arrowhead and its players changed as a cumulative effect that fueled the PSN account linking controversy, and things have been very different since then. Arrowhead may also have to accept Helldivers 2 may never be as popular as it was at launch, and that’s okay.

Regardless, Arrowhead Games remains determined to Helldivers 2 to make it as good as possible, or at least restore the aspects responsible for its former glory.