Rather than creating unnecessary competition between two highly anticipated games, Johan Pilestedt, Chief Creative Officer at Arrowhead Game Studios, believes we should focus on being “grateful” for the variety of co-op shooters at our disposal. Helldivers 2, developed by Arrowhead, has often been compared to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 due to their similarities in gameplay, but Pilestedt encourages gamers to appreciate the diversity rather than pit the titles against each other.
In response to online discussions suggesting that Helldivers 2 would “die” when Space Marine 2 launched, Pilestedt offered a positive outlook. He said, ” We should be grateful for getting several awesome games. I can’t even imagine how I, as a kid, would have felt to be able to play Helldivers and [Space Marine 2].” His message reflects a broader appreciation for the expanding landscape of co-op shooters rather than a sense of rivalry between the two.
Inevitable comparisons arise because both games feature intense co-op teamplay and involve swarms of alien enemies. In both titles, players must stay coordinated to avoid being overrun by extraterrestrial hordes. However, despite these similarities, Pilestedt quickly points out that Helldivers 2 and Space Marine 2 offer distinct experiences. He emphasized that gamers don’t need to choose between the two, noting, “They’re different games, but you can enjoy as many games as you want!”
Some concerns that Space Marine 2 might overshadow Helldivers 2 stemmed from player dissatisfaction with recent nerfs and updates to Helldivers 2. However, these concerns appear to be waning. Arrowhead Game Studios has already implemented a significant patch in its 60-day recovery plan, which has started to win back players. Pilestedt acknowledged the feedback from fans, commenting that “nerfing is an unimaginative way of tweaking a game.”
In a message to the Helldivers community, Pilestedt expressed his gratitude for their support: “Thank you for all your amazing feedback, and it’s amazing to finally see so many divers return.” Looking ahead, he teased that the upcoming “day 60 patch” would bring even more exciting changes to the game.