Arrowhead, the Developer of Helldivers 2, Introduces a Festive Response to Killzone Collaboration Pricing Concerns

Recently, the developers over at Arrowhead Studios have been in the spotlight due to a wave of player dissatisfaction following the launch of Helldivers 2’s crossover with Killzone. The stir was mainly about the steep price tags slapped on the latest gear, prompting Arrowhead to rethink their approach. In an effort to mend fences, they’ve made the call to offer the second batch of crossover goodies for free.

Reports from yesterday highlighted that players were particularly disgruntled about the cost of new items like the assault rifle and armor set. These weren’t bundled as warbonds, which made the price feel even steeper.

Arrowhead’s CEO Shams Jorjani, along with Johan Pilestedt, took to social media to address the issue and explain their decisions regarding the crossover content. To build back some goodwill, they’ve decided to surprise gamers by releasing the second part of this collaboration as a complimentary festive treat, dropping ahead of its originally planned launch on December 23.

In a Steam update, Arrowhead mentioned, “We’ve been paying close attention to player feedback, and our community surveys show a high demand for crossover content. However, we’ve also heard the concerns about pricing, so we’re taking a closer look at this.”

Seasons greetings, Helldivers!

With Helldivers x Killzone marking our first crossover, we’re attentive to your feedback. Thanks to input gathered from community surveys, we’re partnering with Guerrilla Games to…

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— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) December 19, 2024

Many players were also worried that the items wouldn’t stick around long enough, and there was uncertainty about how these items fit outside of the usual Warbond-themed universe. In response, Arrowhead is extending the availability of current items in the Superstore from 5 to 10 days, letting players enjoy some peace of mind while grinding for Super Credits. They’re also exploring options to bring these items back permanently in the future.

Arrowhead announced, “The W.A.S.P. stratagem will be unlocked for all soon via a major order.”

This move shows Arrowhead is taking their community’s feedback seriously. It’s still a journey to find the right balance, but giving out free gear is a step in the right direction. After all, isn’t the holiday season all about giving?

We’re curious to hear from you. Did this free offer win back any of your goodwill towards Helldivers 2 after their pricey Killzone crossover launch? Share your thoughts with us!