How Arrowhead Transformed the Fortunes of Helldivers 2

Arrowhead’s CEO, Shams Jorjani, recently shared insights on adapting to the unexpected fanbase surge after the overwhelming success of Helldivers 2. In a conversation with The Games Business, Jorjani discussed how the developer reevaluated their approach after the game drew in vast numbers.

Initially, the plan wasn’t to create a game with universal appeal, Jorjani mentioned. Helldivers 2 was designed with a niche audience in mind. Yet, after its release brought millions of new players, Arrowhead had to rethink its development strategy.

“We didn’t intend Helldivers to cater to a broad audience,” said Jorjani. “However, by crafting a game with a focused experience, we’ve seen it gain attention beyond our initial target. This isn’t unique to us—just look at how From Software established a genre by sticking to their challenging gameplay style when most others opted for easier experiences.”

Jorjani emphasized they didn’t expect Helldivers to attract six million Call of Duty fans. “These players joined us, not because we made a Call of Duty clone, but because they found something intriguing about our game. Their interests vary from those who enjoy games like Escape From Tarkov or Arma, which played a significant role in shaping our direction,” he said.

The experience, referred to as the “summer of pain” by the team, presented challenges. Balancing Arrowhead’s core principles with the demands of a diversified audience proved difficult. The team had to navigate between staying true to what makes Arrowhead unique while managing the varied expectations of a much larger community.