Helldivers 2 game director says “never” to PvP to keep toxicity away

Recommends those wanting PvP to play Escape from Tarkov

Arrowhead Game Studios CEO and Helldivers 2 game director Johan Pilestedt said that the developer would “never add a PvP mode” to its successful co-op third-person shooter.

“This is to reduce the toxic elements from the community. We want an environment that’s supportive, fun and where we all are fighting on the same side,” he explained.

Responding to one commenter who called the studio too “scared” by PvP, Pilestedt denied that sentiment: “Not scared. Just we don’t want the toxicity that naturally comes with it. There are plenty, actually most, games that provide PvP. We make games for people that just want to have a challenging time with friends but in a PvE setting.”

In Helldivers 2 your battle is with the aliens, not fellow players / Arrowhead Games

“If you want PvP I recommend Escape from Tarkov,” he added.

Though Helldivers 2 has friendly fire enabled by default, which naturally opens up possibilities to screw over party members and grief them, outright PvP would invite a completely different base of players due to such a mode’s inherent competitiveness. As it stands, such players are mostly being kept away. While not every competitive player is toxic, such a results-oriented environment does automatically attract users of this sort and breeds an unwelcoming, stressful atmosphere – if you’ve ever played a MOBA or a multiplayer shooter, you’ll know.

It’s clear that Arrowhead has a set direction it wants to take Helldivers 2 into and so far that vision is resonating with many players. The studio is accelerating its content update plans for the game in response to its massive popularity, seeking additional developers to reinforce the team. PvP, as has been made abundantly clear, is not part of that agenda – neither are crossovers, for the time being.

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