Helldivers Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

PlayStation games on PC is “almost like printing money”, says former exec Shuhei Yoshida

Shuhei Yoshida, a former PlayStation executive, discussed the financial benefits of porting PlayStation-exclusive titles to PC, describing it as "almost like printing money." He expressed a desire to transition first-party games to PC earlier but noted that the previous business model did not support this vision. Porting games allows Sony to reach a broader audience, particularly in regions with low console ownership, and is cost-effective compared to creating original titles. Yoshida emphasized the importance of tapping into emerging markets like China, where the PC gaming landscape is strong. Since 2020, Sony has gradually transitioned its exclusive titles to PC, with recent releases including Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. The release of Helldivers 2 was noted as a significant success for Sony. Yoshida also mentioned future plans for live service games, including insights on Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Online.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Former Sony exec finally says the quiet part out loud: putting PlayStation games on PC is ‘almost like printing money’

Console manufacturers have historically neglected the PC platform as a revenue source. Microsoft has shifted its strategy by releasing games on PC and PlayStation, while Sony has begun to release more PS4 and PS5 titles on Steam, including the successful simultaneous launch of Helldivers 2 on both PS5 and PC. Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, indicated that he had envisioned bringing Sony games to PC earlier but faced resistance within the company. He noted that releasing games on PC could attract players to buy PlayStations in the future and highlighted the financial benefits of porting games to PC, which is cheaper than creating new titles. Yoshida also emphasized the importance of the Chinese PC gaming market, citing the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. He speculated on the absence of Bloodborne on PC and expressed that he would have resisted Sony's shift towards live-service games if possible.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Monster Hunter lead producer agrees PC gaming is key for Japanese games: “There are more players than ever playing on PC, including in Japan”

Japanese developers, particularly Capcom, are increasingly recognizing the potential of the PC platform, as evidenced by their commitment to simultaneous PC releases for the Monster Hunter series, specifically with the upcoming launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto noted the growing significance of PC gaming, highlighting the opportunity to attract new players. The beta for Monster Hunter Wilds achieved a peak of 463,798 players, surpassing the numbers of Helldivers 2 and exceeding the launch peak of Monster Hunter World at 334,684 players. Capcom has made adjustments for PC gamers, including lowering system requirements and introducing a benchmarking tool. The director of Monster Hunter Wilds participated in beta testing anonymously, engaging with players without revealing his identity.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

CHARTS: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 debuts at No.1 on Steam

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 became the highest-grossing game on Steam for the week ending February 11th, after launching on February 4th. Counter-Strike 2 is in second place, while Sid Meier's Civilization 7 debuted at third on February 10th. Pre-orders for Monster Hunter Wilds secured the fourth spot, and the Steam Deck rose to fifth. PUBG: Battlegrounds dropped to sixth, Marvel Rivals climbed to seventh, and Helldivers 2 re-entered the Top Ten at eighth. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is in ninth, and Destiny 2 rounds out the Top Ten.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

The PlayStation Network outage proves PC gamers were right to resist its mandatory sign-in requirement

Review-bombing campaigns have arisen from cultural debates about trans characters, queer developers, and liberal writing consultants. A recent incident with Helldivers 2 has shown that these campaigns can also highlight legitimate consumer concerns, specifically regarding the PlayStation Network's (PSN) sign-in requirement. Sony and Arrowhead initially stated that a PSN sign-in would be implemented, which seemed minimal at first. However, players expressed frustration over the exclusion of gamers in regions with Steam access but not PSN. Sony has since abandoned its PSN ambitions on PC while continuing to exclude certain countries from Helldivers 2. The justification for "player protection" appeared disingenuous, as it seemed aimed at funneling users into the PSN ecosystem, which requires sharing personal information. Recently, the PSN experienced a 24-hour outage, raising concerns about the implications of a mandatory sign-in for games like Helldivers 2 and single-player titles. Sony seems to struggle with understanding the PC gaming audience, entering the PC market reluctantly due to its growth and console stagnation. The company must earn the loyalty of PC gamers, who may resist being tied to a service that charges for online access to games they already own. The PSN has a history of significant cybersecurity breaches, and the details surrounding the recent outage remain unclear, with Sony not providing clarity on any potential compromise. Mandatory sign-ins to services like PSN represent a significant imposition that consumers should avoid due to genuine risks.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Balatro 1.1 will include new jokers plus a revamp of a really confusing existing one

LocalThunk, the creator of the poker roguelike Balatro, discussed the upcoming gameplay update version 1.1, which is set to enhance the game in 2025. He was cautious about revealing details to allow for flexibility in development. The update will include a modification to the blue stake, reducing the number of discards by one. Balatro has been recognized with the overall game of the year award for 2024, surpassing other notable titles.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Helldivers 2’s latest warbond adds a stratagem I’ve craved since the galactic war started, a portable hellbomb

Helldivers 2 has introduced a new warbond called Servants of Freedom, featuring the B-100 portable hellbomb, which can be activated by players or teammates and has a ten-second countdown before detonation. The update also includes the LAS-17 Double Edge, an upgraded sickle laser rifle that may burn its user, and the GP-20 Ultimatum, a close-range grenade launcher. Players can equip two new armor sets, the IE-3 Martyr and the IE-12 Righteous, which provide medium protection and are designed for close combat. Additionally, the G-50 Seeker is a throwable drone that targets enemies for explosive effects. This update is set to launch on February 6 and follows improvements to game balance and the introduction of the Illuminate faction.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

PlayStation FINALLY removes frustrating PC requirement after a year of player complaints

Sony mandated that PC players create a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to access exclusive titles starting in May 2024, which led to negative reactions due to PSN's inaccessibility in many regions. The requirement was enforced for popular titles like Until Dawn, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. After feedback from the PC gaming community, Sony has lifted the PSN requirement for certain titles, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, making PSN accounts optional. Players with PSN accounts can earn in-game rewards such as exclusive costumes and boosts.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Spider-Man 2’s Looking Like Another PC Own Goal from Sony

Sony's entry into the PC gaming market has faced challenges, particularly with the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which peaked at 28,000 players on Steam, significantly lower than the 66,000 peak of the original game. Approximately half of the 5,000 reviews for the PC version are negative, citing optimization and performance issues. While Helldivers 2 has succeeded, sequels like Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok have not matched previous player engagement. Sony plans to make PlayStation Network logins optional for single-player games and will offer free content for linked accounts. Fans express concern that the increase in PC ports is reducing the value of the PS5, with a majority believing the quality of ports needs improvement. Community sentiment shows varied opinions on the timing of game ports, with 36% preferring exclusivity to PS5 for at least a year.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Sony Finally Gets Rid of Pesky PlayStation Network Login Requirement for Its Biggest PC Games

Sony has announced that linking a PlayStation Network (PSN) account will now be optional for select single-player titles on PC, effective immediately before the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This decision has been positively received by the PC gaming community, especially in regions without PSN access, such as the Dominican Republic. Previously, players used mods to bypass the PSN login requirement, which posed risks. The issue gained attention during the release of Helldivers 2 in 2024, leading to a backlash that prompted Sony to change its policy. Players can now enjoy titles like God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Last of Us Part II Remastered without needing a PSN account, although some games, like Ghost of Tsushima, still require it for online multiplayer. Linking accounts offers exclusive content, including cosmetics and in-game currency.