Helldivers 2 Dev Faces 'Horrifying' Hostility from Fans

Helldivers 2, a co-op PlayStation 5 and PC shooter by Arrowhead, has become PlayStation's fastest-selling game, breaking records previously held by God of War Ragnarok with 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks. This success, however, has brought an increase in community toxicity. The studio faces threats and rude behavior, particularly following server issues at launch and the controversy over requiring a PlayStation Network account for PC gamers. Despite these challenges, Arrowhead continues to enhance the game's content and aims to create systems to manage toxic behavior effectively.

The backlash was primarily due to initial server issues that made the game unplayable and Sony's controversial requirement for PC gamers to link a PlayStation Network account to play, which was later reversed.

Helldivers 2 is the sequel to the original Helldivers, known for its unique co-op gameplay where friends work together to complete missions in a hostile alien environment. The first game built a dedicated fanbase, but the sequel’s broader success has introduced new dynamics and challenges for the developer due to its significantly larger audience.