The gaming community has been abuzz with reactions to the pricing of Helldivers 2‘s first big crossover event, which features a collection of Killzone-themed cosmetics inspired by the game’s iconic Helghast faction. While fans were excited by the announcement, many have expressed frustration with the high price tag attached to these cosmetics. In response to the growing backlash, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani took to Discord to address the concerns, admit that the pricing missed the mark, and pledge that changes would be made in the future.
The Helldivers 2 Killzone Crossover: A First for the Franchise
The Helldivers 2 crossover event marks a significant moment for the game, as it introduces cosmetics from Killzone, one of Sony’s most popular first-person shooter franchises. Specifically, the crossover focuses on the Helghast faction, known for their distinctive helmets, armor, and weaponry. The bundle includes several exclusive cosmetic items, such as the StA-52 Assault Rifle, AC-1 Dutiful Helmet, AC-1 Dutiful Armor, and various other items like player cards and capes.
For many players, this crossover is exciting, offering the chance to experience some of Killzone’s iconic designs within the world of Helldivers 2. However, the enthusiasm quickly turned into disappointment when the pricing for these skins was revealed.
The Pricing Controversy
The Helldivers 2 Killzone crossover bundle is priced at 1,975 Super Credits, which is equivalent to just under $20. This is notably more expensive than most regular cosmetics in the game. For example, the StA-52 Assault Rifle alone costs 615 credits (roughly $6 or $7), which puts the total cost of the bundle at about half the price of the full game.
Given that Helldivers 2 has a broad player base that spans various regions and spending habits, this price point has led to significant backlash from the community. Many players expressed frustration on forums and social media, arguing that the crossover pricing is excessive and doesn’t align with the value of the content offered. The complaints were loud enough to catch the attention of Shams Jorjani, who decided to personally respond to the criticism.
CEO Shams Jorjani’s Response
Jorjani, aware of the backlash, took to the Helldivers 2 Discord server to directly address the pricing issues. His first comment was a brief acknowledgment of the concerns, followed by a commitment to better understand the community’s perspective.
“Hey – quick comment on the Helghast stuff,” Jorjani said. “Firstly – this is our first collaboration so we’ll be figuring it out as we go along. Let us know what you’d like to see in the future. Secondly, it’s optional – the more of this we sell, the more Illuminate-type stuff we can keep dropping for free.”
While his initial response was seen as a bit dismissive by some players, Jorjani later took more time to clarify his stance and further explain the studio’s approach. In subsequent comments, he confirmed that the entire team at Arrowhead Studios was aware of the feedback, and the issue had been discussed during the company’s monthly townhall meeting.
“We are looking at data (how well is it selling, is it being used, and what feedback we get from social media) to assess what changes would be most impactful for future releases,” Jorjani explained. “Clearly we’d love to find the sweet spot of people loving the content AND the price, and buying the bajeesus out of it. This clearly didn’t hit that mark.”
Acknowledging the Mistakes and Pledging Improvements
In his replies, Jorjani took full responsibility for the oversight, acknowledging that the pricing didn’t resonate with players and that the Helldivers 2 team would need to reassess their approach moving forward. He also stressed the importance of balancing pricing with community expectations, especially in a live-service game where ongoing engagement and satisfaction are key.
“Running a game like this is hard. We’ve never managed or run a big live-service game before,” he admitted in one response. “The last release Arrowhead had was in 2015, and the studio was much smaller. We’re doing our best. Sometimes we fumble. I think we’ve shown that we will persevere and improve things in due course. I understand you’d like us to never fumble – but I can’t promise you we’ll hit our mark every time.”
Jorjani’s comments reflect the complexities of managing a live-service game. As the CEO of a relatively small studio, he openly discussed the challenges they face in balancing player expectations, pricing models, and game updates. He emphasized that while the team may have made some mistakes in this instance, they were committed to learning from the feedback and improving their approach in the future.
Why the Pricing Controversy Matters
The pricing issue is particularly significant in the context of live-service games, where ongoing content updates and in-game purchases are central to the business model. Many players see high prices for cosmetics as a sign of greed, and it can severely damage a game’s reputation if not handled properly.
While Helldivers 2 is still in its relatively early stages, this pricing controversy serves as a crucial learning moment for Arrowhead Studios. The company is aware that players have limited budgets and can be sensitive to the cost of in-game items, especially when those items don’t offer any gameplay advantages. As a result, finding the right price point for future content releases will be critical to maintaining player trust and engagement.
Looking Forward: What Will Change?
While it is unlikely that the pricing for the current Helldivers 2 Killzone crossover will change before it ends on December 23, Jorjani’s comments suggest that Arrowhead is open to making adjustments in the future. The studio is taking player feedback seriously, and future crossovers may feature more affordable prices or offer alternative ways to earn exclusive cosmetics.
Jorjani made it clear that Arrowhead will use data on sales, usage, and feedback from the community to reassess its pricing strategies for future content. He also acknowledged that more cosmetic items could be offered for free if the crossover is successful, reinforcing the idea that community feedback plays a major role in shaping the direction of the game.
Moreover, Arrowhead is likely to adopt a more cautious approach to future crossovers, ensuring that they don’t repeat the same mistakes with their next collaboration. Jorjani’s comments indicate a desire to hit the sweet spot where both content quality and pricing are well-received by the player base.
The Future of Helldivers 2
The Helldivers 2 Killzone crossover may have had a rough start, but the team at Arrowhead Studios seems genuinely committed to improving things based on community input. The CEO’s candidness about the situation, paired with the willingness to make necessary changes, indicates that the studio is taking player concerns seriously. As the crossover event transitions into its second part, fans can expect more cosmetics and possibly better pricing models in the future.
In the end, live-service games are an ongoing process of trial and error. Arrowhead has acknowledged the challenges involved and expressed its dedication to learning from feedback. Helldivers 2 fans may have felt let down by the high prices of the crossover bundle, but the game’s future seems bright, with the studio poised to adapt and improve.
Conclusion
While Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani has openly admitted that the pricing of the Helldivers 2 Killzone crossover missed the mark, the studio is committed to improving and learning from the feedback. Jorjani’s honest approach to handling the controversy and his promise to listen to the community’s concerns give hope that future content updates will strike a better balance between quality and pricing. As Helldivers 2 evolves, it’s clear that the developers are dedicated to making the game better and ensuring that player satisfaction remains a priority.