One of the most challenging things for the development of any multiplayer shooter is the act of balancing and patching parts of the game; after all, there’s always a risk you end up damaging part of the game for some, in an attempt to fix it for others.
Specifically, in unique cases like the co-op PvE combat of Helldivers 2, an interesting balance needs to be made so that players are still satisfied with the balance of weapons, while ensuring every playstyle has its pros and cons.
Previous patches of Helldivers 2, however, have already undergone extensive scrutiny within the community. Patches such as the unofficially named “Buff Everything” patch from nearly a year ago were highly controversial, as it made every gun much more powerful, essentially devaluing the high-ticket items.
However, recently, through the community Discord, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani addressed one of the most interesting issues regarding balancing and updating the game – that a significant portion of players are a silent majority, simply playing the game for enjoyment and not engaging with the broader community.
Understanding The Silent Majority Of Players
The fact that a significant portion of gamers play for fun and don’t engage in...