Helldivers 2 Update Boosts Player Count Amid Challenges

The recent surge in player numbers for *Helldivers 2* on Steam is a testament to the impact of the game's latest update, the Escalation of Freedom. Just one day after its release, the game's concurrent player count doubled, soaring from an average of 30,000 to a 24-hour peak of 62,819. This dramatic increase can be attributed to the extensive changes and additions brought by the update.

Escalation of Freedom Update Doubled Its Player Count

The Escalation of Freedom update has completely transformed *Helldivers 2* with new enemies like the Impaler and Rocket Tank, a challenging Super Helldive difficulty, and larger, more demanding outposts that offer valuable rewards. Players are also enjoying new missions, objectives, anti-grief measures, and numerous quality-of-life enhancements. The anticipation for the new Warbond, the game's battle pass, set to launch on Thursday, August 8, further fuels player engagement. It's clear that these updates have reignited enthusiasm and drawn players back to 'Super Earth'.

Despite the positive surge in player numbers, the update has not been without its critics. Some players have voiced their dissatisfaction, pointing out increased difficulty due to frequent weapon nerfs and enemy buffs, which they feel detract from the game's enjoyment. Additionally, reports of game-breaking bugs and crashes have surfaced. Although *Helldivers 2* currently holds a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, this isn't the first time it has faced negative feedback.

Why Did Its Player Count Dip?

Before the recent uptick, *Helldivers 2* had experienced a decline in player numbers on Steam, averaging around 30,000 concurrent players daily since July. This number, while impressive for most live-service games, is a significant drop from the game's peak of 458,709 concurrent Steam players during its initial months. The decline can be traced back to a controversial decision in May when Sony required Steam accounts to be linked to PlayStation Network, effectively locking out players from 177 countries without PSN access.

Even after Sony reversed this decision, the affected regions remain unable to access *Helldivers 2*. Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, has acknowledged the issue and confirmed ongoing efforts to restore access. However, three months on, the problem persists. For more insights into Pilestedt's comments and the player backlash that followed the game's delisting in numerous countries, be sure to check out the related article.