In a time where live service games are often criticized for their repetitive and automated events, Helldivers 2 is taking a bold and innovative approach to captivate players in the long run.
Developer Arrowhead Studios reveals its intention to learn from the mistakes of other live service games and provide a fresh, dynamic player experience. Katherine Baskin, Arrowhead's community manager, shared details about the studio's "controversial" strategy on Helldivers 2's official Discord server.
A Game Master for a Dynamic World
In late February, Arrowhead Studios revealed that a real person named Joel would take on the role of the 'Game Master' in the online shooter. Inspired by role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, this role was developed to observe player behavior and manipulate in-game events to keep the gameplay exciting.
"It's really meant to keep the game exciting and make the never-ending war engaging for the players," says Baskin. Unlike many live-service games that rely on a calendar of automated events tied to major holidays, Helldivers 2 aims to take a different approach. "HD2 is meant to have a long lifespan, we'd like to see it go on for many years, and that means we need more than just a calendar of automated events."
A Personal Touch in the Digital War
Baskin notes that most cooperative live-service games have something similar to a Game Master, but in the form of "a series of automated events." She further explains that "buffs, debuffs, and events are automatically activated on a set schedule... instead of what we're doing here, which is having a person who can analyze the campaign as it unfolds and make more nuanced decisions."
The decision to have a human Game Master is undoubtedly unique and may be considered controversial. However, Arrowhead Studios hopes that players will overall enjoy this innovative approach. A multiplayer environment that evolves with its player base, rather than just delivering standard content, is undoubtedly more exciting.
Conclusion
Helldivers 2 proves with its significant rise in popularity that Arrowhead's approach works wonders. Players enjoy the challenging battles and the added motivation to collaborate. The use of a Game Master to keep the game dynamic and lively sets Helldivers 2 apart from other live-service games, offering a fresh perspective on online multiplayer experiences. Arrowhead Studios demonstrates that it is possible to tackle the challenges of live-service games with creativity and innovation.
