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Helldivers 2’s Blockbuster Illuminate Update Results In Biggest-Ever Playercount Spike
In a shocking turn of events, the latest update for Helldivers 2 has resulted in the largest playercount spike the game has ever seen. The Illuminate update, which was showcased during The Game Awards and went live immediately after, has completely turned around the downward trend in player numbers.
Prior to this update, Helldivers 2 had been struggling to retain players, with concurrent player counts maxing out at around 30,000 per night on Steam. However, following the release of Illuminate, that number has skyrocketed by a staggering 500%, reaching an unprecedented 150,000 concurrent players.
This spike represents not only the highest playercount since launch but also a significant jump from previous records. The update’s impact is undeniable, and it’s clear that the addition of new enemies to fight and city-based zones to explore has resonated with the community.
While some may be skeptical about whether this momentum can be sustained in the long term, there’s no denying the immediate success of this update. It’s also worth noting that console players have been just as engaged as their PC counterparts, with Helldivers 2’s console numbers surpassing those on Steam since the start.
The real question now is what steps the developers will take to maintain this momentum. Will they continue to roll out similar updates that add significant new content, or will they fall back into old habits? Only time will tell, but for now, it’s clear that Helldivers 2 has found a newfound lease on life.
It remains to be seen whether Sony’s expectations for the game were met with this update, as their initial goals are still unknown. However, given their struggles in producing live service hits, it’s essential they continue to support and nurture the title going forward.
Source: www.forbes.com
