Johan Pilestedt, CCO of Arrowhead Game Studios, has revealed that Helldivers 3 is probably not going to come out anytime soon, noting that the game’s main competition would actually be Helldivers 2.
Speaking with Rock Paper Shotgun, Pilestedt was asked about Arrowhead’s future plans, who replied that the lion’s share of the developer is currently working on Helldivers 2. However, he did note that a “small team” is prototyping its next project, but that may not actually end up being Helldivers 3.
“For now, my view is that a sequel resets everything and forces players to start over,” he said, noting “a continuation turns the game into a lifelong hobby, like Lego or Warhammer. Some studios can treat players like a short-term cash grab. We see players as the actual engine of the game – they’re the ones bringing in friends, making memes, and keeping the game alive. When you have an active community doing that, you don’t need a sequel.”
The industry is panicking because the old live-service tricks don’t work anymore. And the biggest competitor to a Helldivers 3 would be Helldivers 2. It only makes sense to make a distinct sequel if it’s so different that both games can exist side by side. For now, making Helldivers 2 better every day makes way more sense than throwing away its momentum.
Helldivers 2 was released for the PS5 and PC in February 2024, and has remained one of the most popular multiplayer titles on Sony’s latest home console. Arrowhead has kept things ticking over with a number of post-launch patches and fresh content, including additional weapons, Strategems, and quality-of-life improvements. You can read our full review here.
A movie adaptation of Helldivers is currently in development and is slated to hit cinemas in June 2028, although original star Jason Momoa left the project back in June and will reportedly be replaced by Alan Ritchson.
[Source – Rock Paper Shotgun]