After a significant launch on Xbox, Helldivers 2 has sold over 920,000 copies in its first week, surpassing its initial numbers on PlayStation. This success has prompted Game Director Mikael Eriksson to address the community through an interview on the game’s official YouTube channel, discussing the current state of the game and future plans.
While some fans might express disappointment over the lack of new content, Eriksson reassures players that the focus on performance is crucial. He candidly acknowledged that Helldivers 2’s performance “leaves a lot to be desired”, a sentiment echoed by many players who have experienced issues firsthand.
Arrowhead Presses Pause to Fix Helldivers 2’s Performance
Eriksson has openly addressed performance issues following the recent “Into the Unjust” update, highlighting problems beyond framerate stutters such as crashes and bugs. The community’s frustrations have been voiced on the game’s Discord, and Eriksson believes these concerns are justified and being taken seriously.
“We have made the decision to push some of our content and feature updates a little bit into the future while we’re addressing these things.”
However, resolving these issues on consoles may take longer. Eriksson explained that while improvements are underway, patience will be required from the community. The full interview provides further insights and can be accessed on the game’s official channel.
Why Stability Matters More Than New Content Right Now
Helldivers 2 has been well-received, especially among Xbox fans. The decision to prioritize performance over new content is seen as a positive move, as these improvements will benefit devices like the Steam Deck, the Xbox Ally, and the upcoming Ally X, which currently struggle to run the game smoothly.
Arrowhead has previously addressed performance on the Steam Deck. CEO Shams Jorjani commented on the official Discord:
“Performance is a key focus for us, and we are committed to ensuring the best experience across all platforms.”
Eriksson emphasized that the decision to focus on quality over quantity is deliberate, aiming to enhance the overall gaming experience rather than chasing flashy updates that neglect optimization.
A Promising Future for Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 had a strong start with its launch and gained momentum with its Xbox release. The hope is that Arrowhead will deliver on its optimization promises, potentially revisiting features like cross-progression and cross-saves, which have been previously dismissed.
Fans are also eager to see an eight-player mode, which CEO Jorjani has described as “technically challenging but potentially exciting.” Additionally, split-screen mode remains a popular request, with the studio noting its technical feasibility.
As the game becomes available through Xbox’s Stream Your Own Game feature, there is anticipation for its inclusion in Xbox Play Anywhere, especially if performance fixes enhance stability on devices like the Xbox Ally and Ally X.
The decision to focus on performance improvements is widely supported, as it aims to prevent a repeat of the technical issues that plagued the last major update. Players are encouraged to embrace this shift, understanding that a stable gaming experience is the foundation for future content expansions.
