Helldivers 2, the highly popular war game, is facing a unique challenge – it is struggling to handle the massive player base on both the PlayStation 5 and Steam platforms. With over 400,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, the game’s success has become a double-edged sword.
The Helldivers 2 community, however, is not content with the current player base and wants even more players to join the fray. Surprisingly, this has led to a temporary ceasefire between PlayStation and Xbox fans. Xbox players are eagerly hoping that Sony will release the game on Microsoft’s console, just as Microsoft has made some of its multiplayer games playable on PlayStation. Even many PlayStation players are in favor of this idea, wanting Xbox players to have the opportunity to experience the game as well.
Some argue that having more Xbox players would strengthen the “war effort” in the game, allowing for greater progress against the enemy forces. However, it’s important to note that the game’s “solar system warscape” aspect is controlled by Arrowhead, the game’s developer. They have the power to adjust the difficulty level as they see fit. Nevertheless, it is possible that Arrowhead might incorporate Xbox players joining the battle as part of the game’s narrative.
The desire for cross-platform play is not solely driven by meta reasons. Helldivers 2 is considered one of the most enjoyable co-op games to play with friends in a long time. Many players have friends who own an Xbox and feel left out since the game is not available on that platform, unless they have a PC capable of running it.
Xbox’s Phil Spencer has expressed his curiosity about why Helldivers 2 is skipping his platform but quickly acknowledged that he understands the situation. Microsoft itself has released multiplayer games exclusively on certain platforms. While Sony has been more open to day and date PC releases, their true cross-platform games are currently limited to titles like Bungie’s Destiny 2, following its acquisition, and future Bungie games such as Marathon.
The question remains: how likely is it that Helldivers 2 will make its way to Xbox? The author of the article expresses doubts. Firstly, Sony would need to give the green light for this cross-platform release, which may not align with their current strategy. Even if the idea is approved, it would take months of work for Arrowhead to make it a reality. By that time, the hype surrounding Helldivers 2 may have diminished. While it would be fantastic to see the game on Xbox, the notion of Xbox players suddenly joining the war effort seems unlikely.
In conclusion, Helldivers 2 is facing a challenge in handling its massive player base on PlayStation 5 and Steam. The community desires even more players, including those on Xbox, to join the game. However, the likelihood of a cross-platform release remains uncertain. Despite the obstacles, Helldivers 2 continues to captivate players with its thrilling co-op gameplay.
