Helldivers 2 has quickly become a phenomenon, marking a significant success for Arrowhead. The title, described as a massive co-op game, is reportedly PlayStation’s fastest-selling title ever.

In a recent GDC talk titled “Helldivers 2: Capturing Lightning in a Bottle,” CEO Johan Pilestedt reflected on the tumultuous beginning of its launch:

“The community was super excited about the gameplay that we put out and everybody clocked in, and it became a wildfire. Everybody told everybody that you need to play this game, and it crushed us under success.”

However, as sales surged, so did the challenges, especially related to server capacity. Pilestedt urged potential buyers to consider waiting until server issues were resolved before purchasing the game, stating:

“If you have no cash, get it later. While we made a really fun game, it’s worth waiting until the servers can support capacity.”

This perspective prompted concern from his partners at PlayStation, who quickly contacted him to clarify his remarks regarding the game:

“Took five minutes until I got a call from the friendly people at PlayStation, who asked me what the f** I’m smoking. Don’t recommend people to not buy your game!”*

Despite the advice to delay purchase, Helldivers 2 continues to thrive, adapting to player demands and enhancing server management. As Pilestedt noted, recommending that players hold off buying can lead to unexpected repercussions, even if the intent is to ensure a better gaming experience. This launch serves as a case study of the unique complexities in game development on a monumental scale.