The director of Helldivers 2 has voiced agreement with the criticism regarding the game's balance adjustments, acknowledging that efforts to tweak weapon power may have been overly zealous in certain respects.
This week, Johan Pilestedt, the director at the helm of Helldivers 2 and CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, engaged with a Twitter user voicing their discontent that recent balancing changes had detracted from the game's enjoyment, prioritizing balance over fun. Pilestedt's response revealed a concurrence with the player's frustration.
"Yeah I think we've gone too far in some areas," Pilestedt shared in his response. He mentioned his plans to discuss balance strategy with his team, although he cautioned against expecting immediate changes. "It seems like every time something enjoyable is discovered, it is quickly taken away," he conceded.
This candid acknowledgment from the director of Helldivers 2 is noteworthy. Arrowhead has been actively modifying various aspects of the game, not just weaponry, following its launch earlier this month. For instance, the recent introduction and swift withdrawal of explosive shrapnel in Helldivers 2 after it led to players inadvertently causing harm to themselves and allies indicates the balancing challenges faced.
Conflicting communications regarding adjustments to the Eruptor weapon serve as another illustration of the balancing quandary, with a senior game designer affirming the changes as deliberate, while a community manager characterized them as not intended — a clearly confusing scenario for players.
Adjusting the balance of a live service game represents an undoubtedly intricate challenge, one that Arrowhead is purportedly reevaluating based on ongoing internal discussions.
For enthusiasts eager to discover the most recent expansions in the game, the Helldivers 2 Polar Patriots Warbond guide offers comprehensive details on the latest features.