Arrowhead Game Studios has shared valuable lessons learned during the development of their release, Helldivers 2. In a recent interaction with the community on Discord, Shams Jorjani, CEO of the studio, emphasized the importance of starting the pre-production phase with a small team. This strategy aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and ensure a cohesive experience, something the studio considers essential for the success of future projects.
The strategy behind success
Helldivers 2, which began its development with approximately 20 employees, has seen this number increase significantly throughout its production, reaching 130 members. Despite having started with a larger team, Jorjani reflected that this was baaaaad, suggesting that the initial approach did not turn out to be as effective as they had hoped.
However, regarding the future direction of the company, Arrowhead Game Studios has been clear: there are currently no plans to develop a sequel to Helldivers 2. Jorjani stated that the studio hopes this new installment will have a long lifespan, which would allow the community to remain active and engaged for years. This indicates that the developers are betting on the sustainability of the game rather than rushing to create a successor.
Additionally, the launch of Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series will mark a significant expansion of its player base. However, it is important to note that the game will not be available on Game Pass, which has been a key point clarified by the studio to avoid confusion among future users. Meanwhile, the Helldivers community remains eager about the future of the title and what the studio might have in store for its upcoming initiatives.