Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 dev doesn’t care about Halo or your console wars

The CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios has slammed comparisons between Helldivers 2 and Halo, telling fans they should be able to enjoy both first-person shooters.

Tom Chapman

Tom Chapman

04th Mar 2024 12:24

Image via 343 Industries | Arrowhead Game Studios

helldivers-2-halo-comparisons.jpg

You can take your console wars and shove them, that seems to be the no-nonsense feeling of Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt. Helldivers 2 is a game on the go, and as we try and restore democracy to the galaxy, all eyes are on the bug-blasting shooter.

Seeing a band of expendable grunts trying to take out an alien menace is a pretty generic storyline for any game, but that hasn't stopped players from pulling comparisons between Helldivers 2 and the long-running Halo series. It's an easy comparison to make, but Pilestedt isn't having it. 

Helldivers 2 CEO tells you to stop making Halo comparisons 

While Halo is a console-exclusive for Microsoft and was once the poster boy of Xbox, Helldivers 2 is PS5 and PC-exclusive, being a major win for the Blue Team in 2024. As Helldivers 2 toppled the Xbox console-exclusive Palworld from the top of Steam, those tired arguments of console wars are again rearing their head.

When someone took to Twitter and created a meme of Helldivers 2 being superior to Halo, it caught Pilestedt's attention. Responding to the tweet, the Arrowhead CEO said, "Why compare? Just let gamers love and enjoy both, either or neither. We need more compassion and union in the world, and less rivalry."

Even though the OP was fighting Helldivers 2's corner, Pilestedt is keen to shut down in-fighting and wants you to enjoy games for what they are. It's refreshing that the Helldivers 2 overlord isn't fuelling these fires because we're sure there are plenty of devs who'd bask in the competition. 

Someone else said that a bit of "friendly rivalry" is healthy, with Pilestedt responding, "Indeed. Also in business. Neither monopoly or cut-throat competition makes the world a better place." Still, whatever comes next from Halo would be wise to take a leaf out of Helldivers 2's book. 

We're worried for Halo

Halo Infinite team promo of Spartans

Unfortunately, Pilestedt has inadvertently drawn attention to the failures of Halo and how the series is pretty stagnant right now. It's fair to say that Halo Infinite wasn't the franchise reset that 343 Industries was hoping for, and with seasons now being swapped out for 'Operations', there's not much life left in the old gal. 

Responding to Pilestedt, one Halo critic wrote, "You are awesome Piles, but Halo still got DECIMATED by Helldivers," while another added, "I hope we can get halo collab with Helldivers if it comes to Xbox or before than. I really wanna rock some odst armor with halo weapons."

We'd be lying if we didn't say we were a little concerned for Halo right now. The long-rumoured Project Tatanka battle royale has reportedly been canned, Matthew "FormaL" Piper has called it "dead," and two years after Infinite proved it might not be as 'infinite' as we hoped, there's no news about where the franchise goes next. 

Tom Chapman

About The Author

Tom Chapman

Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.

Links

2024 GGRecon. All Rights Reserved