In Helldivers 2 the community is currently cheering for the developers because they believe they have done everything right regarding DLCs. At the same time, they feel that other studios should take a page out of their book.
Why are players cheering? In a Reddit post, a meme explains the DLC policy of Helldivers 2. All major expansions, such as the introduction of the Illuminated, the assault on Over-Earth, or the upcoming expansion that aims to take the war to the homeworlds of the Terminids, are being released for free. Only the purchase of the game for €40 is required.
The weapon packs, called War Bonds in the game, which unlock new weapons and gear as well as skins, can be purchased for real money, but it is also possible to collect the necessary currency in-game. If you invest enough time, you won’t have to spend any more money after purchasing the game.
For players, this is the perfect DLC policy, as no one is excluded based on their budget, and there is neither FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) nor any need to buy a DLC. Only in the so-called Super Store are there temporary offers that expire.
Here you can see the new War Bond:
Cheering for the Developers – Criticism of Other Studios
What do players say? With over 30,000 upvotes, the post is one of the highest-rated on Helldivers’ Reddit forum. Players express their positive views on how DLCs are handled in the game. They write:
- OnlyHereForComments1: “Arrowhead has received more of my money per hour of gameplay than any other studio, simply because $10 for a War Bond is incredibly cheap, the game is fun, and above all, it doesn’t feel like they are trying to rip me off.”
- Plastic_Young_9763: “No ‘Fear of Missing Out’. If the War Bonds were time-limited, I would refuse to buy them. Just like I haven’t bought anything from the temporary Super Store.”
- dasic___: “Ironically, Helldivers feels by far like the least predatory game in a long time, and that alone has pushed me to spend more money on it than any other game.”
- TexasBoba89Fett: “The game was truly the best $40 I ever spent.”
What criticism do players have of other studios? Players have found in the developers of Helldivers 2 an example of a successful DLC policy that works completely opposite to typical AAA studios.
Instead of hiding content behind a paywall at release and expanding content only for money, players of Helldivers 2 have been enjoying free updates for over a year. Still, many players explain on Reddit that they would like to spend real money on new weapon packs, precisely because they are not forced to and the game is fun for them.
- As Reddit user geebler02 explains: “The trick is to have a game that is worth buying before you set the price for DLC.”
- YorhaUnit8S adds: “If DLCs were done right, I would want MORE DLCs. Imagine if Cyberpunk got two more DLCs like Phantom Liberty. That would just be more good stories in a good game without taking time away from overhauling the game engine for a sequel. Or getting another campaign in BG3.”
Currently, Helldivers 2 is at its best point since release. With the Xbox, many new players have joined, and the new expansion that brings the fight to the homeworlds of the Terminids has also led to a return of veterans. You can read here how recruits and veterans play together: Initially, many veterans of Helldivers 2 wanted to see the newcomers from Xbox left in the dust, but quite the opposite has happened
