Helldivers 2 Sets Record for PlayStation Studios Games on PC, Reaches Over 150,000 Concurrent Players on Steam
Helldivers 2, the highly anticipated co-op game developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation Studios, has achieved a remarkable feat since its launch. The game has garnered over 150,000 concurrent players on Steam in its first weekend, setting a new record for PlayStation games on Windows PC. This milestone surpasses any previous PlayStation Studios game on PC, including the widely acclaimed God of War by Santa Monica Studio, which reached over 73,000 players two years ago.
In addition to its impressive player count, Helldivers 2 has experienced strong sales. The CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, Johan Pilestedt, confirmed on Twitter that the game has already sold approximately one million copies across both PlayStation 5 and Windows PC platforms.
It’s important to note that Helldivers 2 stands out from other PlayStation games that have transitioned to PC. Unlike previous titles, which were released on PC long after their console launch, Helldivers 2 is one of the first live service games from PlayStation to be available on both console and PC simultaneously. This simultaneous release strategy eliminates any limitations and delays, ensuring PC players can enjoy the game in real-time with their console counterparts.
The co-op nature of Helldivers 2 also contributes to its success. The game’s missions are known for their extreme difficulty, often requiring players to team up with friends to overcome challenges. The cooperative gameplay mechanics truly shine when a squad of three or four players work together, generating increased interest and higher concurrent player counts. This differs from single-player titles like Horizon Zero Dawn or Days Gone, where players can progress at their own pace without the need for cooperative play.
Looking ahead, PC gamers can anticipate the arrival of more PlayStation games later this year. The highly anticipated Horizon Forbidden West is set to launch in March, while a remake of the popular horror game Until Dawn is expected to release before the end of 2024.
With the success of Helldivers 2 and the growing popularity of live service games, PlayStation may be considering a shift toward this model. Despite previous setbacks and delays in their live service plans, this recent accomplishment demonstrates the potential for success in this genre. If Arrowhead Game Studios can continue to build upon the positive reception of Helldivers 2, it may serve as a model for future live service games from PlayStation.
As the excitement surrounding Helldivers 2 continues to grow, our team is currently working on a comprehensive review of the game. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis of the gameplay, the battle against Terminids and Automatons, and our final verdict on this highly anticipated co-op experience.
Analyst comment
Positive news: Helldivers 2 sets a record for PlayStation Studios games on PC, reaching over 150,000 concurrent players on Steam. The game has also experienced strong sales, with approximately one million copies sold on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC platforms. This success may lead to a shift towards more live service games from PlayStation. Expect the arrival of more PlayStation games on PC later this year, including Horizon Forbidden West and a remake of Until Dawn.
