Helldivers 2 takes two steps ahead and one leap again. Less than per week after shock dropping the Omens of Tyranny replace at The Game Awards, Arrowhead has dropped one other shock, although this one is not as enjoyable or thrilling: Helldivers 2 simply acquired a Killzone armor set, cosmetics, and a Helghast gun, which is kinda cool, besides they price 3 times greater than regular and cannot be earned in a warbond.
The Killzone drop is a primary for Helldivers 2 in additional methods than one: It marks the sport’s first crossover, one thing that Arrowhead needs to do extra of when it is sensible (Killzone is essentially the most pure match I can consider). It’s additionally a major escalation of Arrowhead’s monetization scheme. Along with the latest Superstore-only stun baton, that is the primary time Helldivers 2 has offered weapons—essentially the most coveted unlockables within the recreation—outdoors of its battle pass-like warbonds.
Arrowhead has additionally seemingly embraced the development of crossovers turning into the proper event to crank up costs by an element of two or three. The StA-52 Assault Rifle alone prices 615 Super Credits (round $6 or $7). A typical Helldivers 2 warbond, which comprises a number of armor units, weapons, and different cosmetics, prices $10.
“615 SC for a main weapon is straight-up ridiculous,” wrote consumer Goopmaster_ in a top-upvoted publish on the Helldivers subreddit. “I get the sport must be monetized not directly, I get that the devs work isn’t free, however charging half a warbond value for an assault rifle with no optic is straight-up nonsense.”
Folks are additionally haranguing over the five hundred Super Credit Helghast armor set, which comes with a brand new “Acclaimed” armor passive that grants 50% injury safety towards fuel, acid, and electrical injury (that is rather a lot). Usually, Superstore-only armor units share the identical perks because the stuff you will get in warbonds, however not this time.
“This is a disgustingly good passive to be locked behind the costliest armor so far,” wrote Reddit consumer TraumaTracer.
Altogether, the six Helghast objects come out to 1,975 Super Credits, or almost the worth of two full warbonds.
“I would like they simply dropped a brand new warbond. What the hell are these costs,” consumer Jade_Bennet wrote.
The extra of this we promote, the extra Illuminate-type stuff we are able to hold dropping at no cost.
Shams Jorjani, Arrowhead CEO
So about that: It positive seems to be like this Killzone crossover was initially deliberate as a warbond. Just hours after the Omens of Tyranny replace dropped final week, dataminers discovered references to a number of future warbonds. One was Urban Legends, which is out now, and the opposite was a Killzone-themed “Righteous Revenants” warbond. The armor and weapons within the Righteous Revenants art work match the Superstore-only objects launched right now.
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani addressed the offended mob this morning in a uncommon look on the Helldivers Discord server:
“Hey, fast touch upon the Helghast stuff. Firstly, that is our first collaboration so we’ll be figuring it out as we go alongside. Let us know what you’d wish to see sooner or later,” Jorjani wrote. “Secondly it is non-obligatory. The extra of this we promote, the extra Illuminate-type stuff we are able to hold dropping at no cost.”
I am unable to say that sentiment does a lot for me. There’s no confusion over whether or not or not the Helghast objects are non-obligatory—the issue is the worth, which Jorjani didn’t appear concerned about addressing straight. Arrowhead has spent the complete yr establishing that purchasing warbonds helps help the event of cool, free updates to the galactic battle (they’re referred to as warbonds, in any case). Jorjani now tying the promise of extra “Illuminate-type stuff” to a bunch of overpriced “nonsense,” as Redditor Goopmaster put it, is a bait-and-switch.
This is a disgustingly good passive to be locked behind the costliest armor so far from r/Helldivers
In a later reply, Jorjani clarified his earlier comment: “This was my manner of claiming that the higher the sport does the extra stuff we are able to do.”
Certainly, however as followers have identified, this units a miserable precedent. Until not too long ago, Helldivers 2 has been praised as one of the vital fairly monetized video games round with substantial free updates, constantly priced $10 packs that add numerous fascinating gear, and a rotating Superstore that sells extra armor virtually as an afterthought. The Killzone crossover disrupts that stability, making the Superstore the primary occasion and, counter to its warbonds that by no means expire, pushing gamers to purchase this tremendous particular (and additional costly) stuff earlier than it disappears in 5 days.
It’s not like Arrowhead is doing something that different video games have not achieved greater and worse, however that is form of the purpose: Arrowhead is now utilizing the identical playbook as each different exhausting dwell service recreation. Meanwhile, Helldivers 2 continues to be a $40 videogame by itself with $90 price of warbonds.
Jorjani continues to answer to upset followers on Discord. His newest reply signifies Arrowhead is not proud of how the Killzone pack has gone over.
“Clearly we might love to seek out the candy spot of individuals loving the content material AND the worth and purchase the bajeesus out of it,” he wrote. “This clearly did not hit that mark.”
