Helldivers 2 has seen a remarkable resurgence on Steam following its substantial "Escalation of Freedom" update, bringing players back to the intense battles on "Super Earth." This article delves into the update's impact and the game's fluctuating player base.

Helldivers 2 Player Count Soars

Escalation of Freedom Update Doubles Concurrent Players

Within 24 hours of the update's release, Helldivers 2 witnessed a doubling of its concurrent player count, jumping from a consistent average of 30,000 to a peak of 62,819.

This dramatic increase is attributed to the update's comprehensive overhaul. New formidable foes (Impaler and Rocket Tank), a challenging Super Helldive difficulty mode, and expanded, more rewarding outposts have revitalized the gameplay experience. Further enhancements include new missions, objectives, improved anti-griefing measures, and quality-of-life improvements. The upcoming launch of the Warbond battle pass on August 8th adds another layer of engaging content.

Despite the positive player influx, the update hasn't been without criticism. Negative reviews cite increased difficulty stemming from weapon nerfs and enemy buffs, impacting the overall enjoyment for some players. Reports of game-breaking bugs and crashes have also surfaced. While the game currently holds a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, this isn't the first time it's faced negative feedback.

The Reason Behind the Initial Player Dip

Prior to the update, Helldivers 2 maintained a healthy Steam community, averaging approximately 30,000 concurrent players daily (excluding PS5 players). This is noteworthy for a live-service title. However, this represents a significant decrease from the game's initial peak.

At its launch, Helldivers 2 reached a staggering 458,709 concurrent Steam players. This popularity took a considerable hit in May when Sony mandated linking Steam accounts to PlayStation Network, effectively locking out players from 177 countries without PSN access. Although Sony reversed this decision, the access issue for these regions persists, three months later. Arrowhead Game Studios' CEO, Johan Pilestedt, has acknowledged the ongoing efforts to resolve this problem. Further details on Pilestedt's statements and the subsequent player backlash can be found in a related article.