Helldivers 2 dev pledges fixes as launch woes land "mixed" rating on Steam
UPDATE: "Rapid patch" pushed out on PC.
UPDATE 9/2/24: Helldivers developer Arrowhead Game Studios has pushed out a "rapid patch" on Steam to sort some of its issues.
The PC update, available now, is designed to alleviate matchmaking problems and a number of instances where the game can crash.
"We've uploaded a patch to Steam that should improve matchmaking for PC," game director Mikael Eriksson wrote in an update posted to X. "The patch also includes some other crash fixes we've identified. We know there's more to solve, and we're working our way through it. Nevertheless, we hope this rapid patch goes a long way to making your experience better. Now go smash some bugs (and bots)!"
ORIGINAL STORY 8/2/24: Satirical sci-fi shooter sequel Helldivers 2 has got off to a solid start on Steam, with today's launch propelling it to the number three position on the platform's best-sellers list, while its concurrent players have hit over 64,000 in less than a day. However, player reception has been mixed thanks to a range of issues on PC (it's also out on PS5), and developer Arrowhead Game Studios has now responded, saying fixes are on the way.
Helldivers 2 - which follows the same co-op template as its well-received predecessor, albeit with a switch from top-down perspective to third-person - has so far settled on a Steam rating of "mixed" after over 5300 reviews, with players highlighting a range of launch-day woes.
Chief among criticisms are complaints about persistent crashes, while others have singled out server and matchmaking issues. Then there's ire directed towards PC optimisation, and its kernel-level GameGuard anti-cheat software, which some feel is cause for concern, as well as complaints around Helldivers 2's monetisation - which includes a battle pass and premium currency in-game shop, despite its £34.99/$39.99 price tag.
Responding to some of these concerns, Helldivers 2 game director Mikael Eriksson has shared an update on social media, writing, "I'm happy to say that we've now improved matchmaking and the most frequent crashes." Eriksson added that studio has prepared a patch and will begin testing it alongside players "to check it works as intended."
"If it's a success," he continued, "we'll trigger a hotfix and get it out to the Steam community first, then roll it out to PS5 players as quickly as we can. Thank you - seriously - for your patience. We really want you all to have a blast playing this game. Bear with us, we're almost there."