During the first anniversary celebration of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios held a live stream where they revealed that many ideas were abandoned during the game’s development. Some of these ideas could have significantly changed the gameplay experience.
Patrick Lasota, the Head of Product Testing, shared some insights about the development process, revealing that one of the biggest initial plans was to have five-player squads instead of four.
Why Five-Player Squads Were Considered
Lasota explained that one of the developers, Johan, proposed the idea of five-player squads. The reasoning behind this was that when an extra player is added to a four-player team, it can throw off the game’s balance. However, if teams were originally designed for five players, adding another would create two balanced sub-groups of three players.
Why the Five-Player System Was Scrapped
Despite seeming like a good idea in theory, the developers found that the five-player squad system did not work well with the game’s mechanics. Lasota elaborated:
The problem was that one player would often be left without much to do and wouldn’t contribute much to battles. Additionally, this setup gave teams too much flexibility in choosing strategies, meaning players didn’t have to make difficult tactical decisions.
Ultimately, due to these issues, the team decided to keep the squads at four players, ensuring a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience.
Other Scrapped Features During Development
Aside from five-player squads, other ambitious ideas were considered but later discarded. Lasota shared some of these features that never made it into the final version of the game.
1. Low-Gravity Planets
One of the most interesting ideas was low-gravity planets, which would have allowed players to jump higher and stay in the air longer. This could have introduced a fresh dynamic to movement and combat. However, it was eventually cut due to the heavy workload it placed on animators. The additional animations and physics adjustments required for such a feature were deemed too complex for the final release.
2. A New Armor System
Another removed feature was a completely new armor system. Lasota did not provide many details but mentioned that this system did not perform well in practice, leading to its removal from the final version of the game. It is unclear whether the system affected gameplay balance, movement, or customization, but its exclusion suggests that it did not meet the studio’s standards.
Arrowhead’s Future Plans and Upcoming Projects
With Helldivers 2 achieving massive success, Arrowhead Game Studios is already working on new collaboration events and potential expansions.
A developer known as Sephez on the official Helldivers 2 Discord server confirmed that the studio is in the early stages of developing a brand-new project. While details remain scarce, this hints at exciting developments for fans of the game and the studio’s future work.
Recent Collaborations: The Killzone Crossover Event
One of Helldivers 2’s most notable collaborations was a crossover event with the Killzone franchise from Guerrilla Games. During this event, players had the opportunity to unlock:
- New armor sets
- Unique weapons
- Exclusive banners
- Special capes
This collaboration was well received, and fans are hopeful for more crossover events with other well-known gaming franchises in the future.
Celebrating the Galactic War Anniversary
To mark the game’s anniversary, Arrowhead Game Studios has released a series of videos highlighting major events in the Galactic War.
One of the most notable videos focuses on the Defense of Mort, which was a major turning point in the game’s story. This battle played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the war and remains one of the most memorable moments for longtime players.
What’s Next for Helldivers 2?
With Helldivers 2 continuing to thrive, the developers are committed to introducing new content, collaborations, and gameplay updates. While some ideas were scrapped during development, the game’s ongoing success suggests that many exciting additions may still be on the horizon.
Fans are eagerly waiting for news on future updates, potential expansions, and even Arrowhead’s next big project. Will we see more legendary collaborations? Could some of the scrapped features be revived in a future update? Time will tell.
For now, Helldivers 2 remains one of the most exciting co-op shooters in recent years, with a dedicated community and a bright future ahead.
Closing Remarks
Helldivers 2 has evolved significantly since its early development stages, with numerous features and ideas being tested, refined, and even scrapped. While the five-player squad concept and low-gravity planets were removed, the game has thrived with its well-balanced four-player co-op system. Arrowhead Game Studios continues to explore new collaborations and future projects, keeping the game fresh and exciting for its dedicated community.
As the studio celebrates the game’s anniversary and expands on the Galactic War’s lore, players can expect more thrilling events, updates, and possibly even new projects. With the success of Helldivers 2, the future looks bright for both the game and its developers.
For now, fans can look forward to upcoming collaborations and content updates while staying engaged in the ever-expanding world of Helldivers 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why were five-player squads removed from Helldivers 2?
The developers found that a five-player team structure disrupted the gameplay balance. One player often had little to do during battles, and the added flexibility reduced the need for strategic decision-making. As a result, the team decided to stick with four-player squads.
2. What other features were scrapped during development?
Several ideas were considered but ultimately removed, including:
- Low-gravity planets, which would have allowed for higher jumps but were cut due to animation workload.
- A new armor system, which did not perform well and was excluded from the final game.
3. Will any of the scrapped features return in future updates?
There is no official confirmation that removed features will return. However, Helldivers 2 continues to receive new content, so it’s always possible that some ideas could be revisited or reimagined in future updates.
4. What was the recent crossover event in Helldivers 2?
The most recent collaboration was with the Killzone franchise from Guerrilla Games. Players were able to unlock new armor sets, weapons, banners, and special capes as part of the event.
