Helldivers 2 to Get RuneScape-Style Long-Term Updates, No Sequel Planned
▼ Summary
– Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani confirmed there are no plans for Helldivers 3, intending instead to support Helldivers 2 for the long term.
– The studio aims to model Helldivers 2’s longevity after the enduring MMO RuneScape, which has been running for 25 years.
– Jorjani clarified that previous comments about a “next one” referred to Arrowhead’s next game project, not a sequel to Helldivers 2.
– The directors and PlayStation are supportive of the goal to make Helldivers 2 a “forever game” by continuously expanding it with new features.
– In addition to ongoing game updates, a Helldivers 2 film adaptation was announced in January as a collaboration between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures.
The future of Helldivers 2 is set to follow a long-term, evolving model rather than a traditional sequel path. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios has officially confirmed that there are no current plans for Helldivers 3. Instead, the team intends to support and expand the current game for many years, drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of long-running MMOs like RuneScape.
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani made the studio’s position clear in a recent Discord post, stating, “We have no plans for HD3, just HD2 for as long as it can go. Think RuneScape.” This statement resolves any confusion that arose from a previous comment Jorjani made about a social hub feature being planned for “the next one,” which he later clarified referred to the studio’s next project, not a direct sequel to Helldivers 2.
This vision for the game as a persistent, ever-growing experience is not a new one for the studio. Jorjani has previously expressed a desire to build upon Helldivers 2 so extensively that it would essentially become its own successor over time. He reinforced this commitment in another Discord message, saying, “Myself and the directors agree we would love this to be a forever game. Assuming we get a grip on the performance and dev practices we can keep expanding it for a long time. PlayStation is super supportive.”
This long-term support strategy is already in motion. The game, published by Sony, recently launched on Xbox Series X and S and received the “Into the Unjust” update, which introduced new Hive Worlds. The studio’s production director, Alex Bolle, echoed this sentiment in an April interview with IGN, emphasizing the goal for the game to be around for “years and years and years to come.” He described the challenge and motivation of continuously introducing new features and systems while staying true to the core identity of Helldivers 2, a process that allows creativity to flourish within a live service environment.
The success of Helldivers 2 certainly provides a strong foundation for this ambitious plan. The game is PlayStation Studios’ fastest-selling title of all time, having sold an astounding 12 million copies within its first 12 weeks. Its popularity has even extended beyond gaming, with Sony announcing in January that a Helldivers 2 film adaptation is in development through a collaboration between Sony Productions and Sony Pictures.
While a numbered sequel is off the table, the commitment to substantial, ongoing content ensures that the world of Helldivers 2 will continue to grow and engage its massive player base for the foreseeable future.
(Source: IGN)
