Helldivers 2 recently faced a tumultuous period following its sudden delisting from the majority of the world. Although the game has been reinstated in some regions, a significant portion of the global audience still lacks access, leading to widespread concern among fans. The community’s frustration reached a boiling point, resulting in a severe review-bombing campaign that pressured Sony into lifting the restrictions within 48 hours. However, the damage was already done.
The Declining of Player Base after The Tragedy
The aftermath of this controversy is starkly evident in the player statistics on Steam. Helldivers 2 has experienced a dramatic decline in its player base, with the game hitting its lowest 24-hour peak since launch. Currently, the game stands at 29,844 active players, with a 24-hour peak of just 66,695. While these numbers might seem respectable at first glance, they represent an 85% decline from the previous month when the game boasted an average of over 160,000 players.
Live-service titles like Helldivers 2 thrive on maintaining a steady player base, and any disruption can have far-reaching consequences. The controversy surrounding the PSN restriction has undeniably harmed the game’s reputation and player retention. Notably, the game has failed to reach 100,000 concurrent players for over ten days, with the last occurrence on May 12. This sharp decline was particularly evident on May 20, when the peak concurrent player count plummeted by 20,000.
Regional Availability and Player Sentiment
One of the primary reasons for the decline is the regional unavailability of the game. Many fans, unable to access the game in their regions, have started to move on to other titles. While it is natural for any game to lose some players over time, the speed and extent of the decline in Helldivers 2’s player base are alarming and can be directly traced back to the recent controversy.
Arrowhead Game Studios, the developer behind Helldivers 2, has expressed ambitions of becoming the next FromSoftware. However, these recent decisions may hinder their progress. The studio has announced their new CEO and plans to roll out updates less frequently, which could further diminish the community’s interest. This strategy, while perhaps aimed at ensuring quality over quantity, might not sit well with a player base that is already feeling neglected.