"Helldivers II" quickly became one of PlayStation's fastest-selling games following its launch. However, a series of missteps plunged the game into a low point, triggering a massive player backlash.
Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Shams Jorjani recently reflected on this period, describing a personal call from PlayStation Studios CEO Hermen Hulst to discuss how to salvage the game's momentum as the "lowest point" of his career.
Released in 2024, "Helldivers II" unexpectedly exploded in popularity, a surprise even to its developers, given its niche predecessor on PS4.
The controversy began when Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced that PC players would be forced to link their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts by June 4.
This decision immediately sparked intense outrage. Within 48 hours, the game received over 100,000 negative reviews on Steam. The situation worsened when it became clear that PSN was unavailable in over 150 countries, leading to the game's delisting in those regions and further infuriating players. Although Sony eventually reversed the policy, both Arrowhead and internal Sony teams remained concerned about the game's future.
Jorjani recounted that when Hulst called, he had to explain the reasons behind the game's struggles and outline a recovery plan. He candidly admitted, "In the short term, there is nothing we can do. But in the long term, we have plans that will get us back on track."
Despite the crisis, "Helldivers II" achieved impressive sales, moving 12 million units within 12 weeks, surpassing "God of War: Ragnarök"'s 11 million units in the same timeframe.
Jorjani also revealed that he drew inspiration from the development journey of "No Man's Sky," believing that continuous improvement would eventually win back player support. He acknowledged that Arrowhead is still adjusting to the high standards that came with its sudden success, stating, "We went from League Three to Champions League overnight. It takes time to adjust, but we will catch up."
via： VGC