Helldivers 2: Player Count Soars Nearly Threefold After Latest Update

Helldivers 2 is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. After a stretch of criticism, review bombing, and a dwindling player base, it seems that developer Arrowhead Studios has listened to fan feedback. By rolling out a series of updates aimed at improving gameplay, they’ve managed to bring players back in force. Today’s update, in particular, has sparked a wave of excitement among the community.

It’s clear that the initial direction Helldivers 2 was heading in pushed many players away. However, the recent changes have drawn people back, and the numbers prove it. According to SteamDB charts, the game’s peak player count soared to 59,181 today, a figure not seen since the flawed Escalation of Freedom update.

Just yesterday, the game’s peak was 23,960, meaning today's numbers nearly tripled after the release of the new update. While it’s unlikely that Helldivers 2 will surpass the player count from its launch, these are still impressive figures considering the update mainly focused on fixing issues rather than introducing brand-new content.

Helldivers 2 Welcomes Back Thousands of Players Post-Update

These promising numbers aren’t limited to Steam. In a Reddit post celebrating the return of many players, user RedneckThinker shared additional data from the Helldivers 2 companion app, revealing that the total player count hit 78,718. Given that these stats reflect a random Tuesday night, it’s likely the number will climb even higher as the weekend approaches, solidifying Arrowhead’s progress in reviving the game’s community.

Of course, player counts will naturally fluctuate, as is typical with live-service games. However, Arrowhead seems to have more in store, with recent hints suggesting new content on the horizon. A new Warbond has already been introduced for players to pursue, and the impending threat of the Illuminate invasion is looming. A few weeks ago, territory controlled by the alien faction briefly appeared on the Galactic Map, hinting at big developments to come.

In any case, these early signs of revival are a strong indicator for Arrowhead that players prioritize a fun, engaging experience above all else. While more adjustments are expected, as teased by the game’s community manager, this latest round of improvements should keep the player base satisfied for the time being.