Helldivers 2 Developer Comments on DEI

summation

  • Johan Pilestedt, Creative Director of Helldivers 2, believes that DEI should only be included in games if it improves the experience.

  • Pilestedt's comments drew mixed reactions from the community.

  • According to Pilestedt, Arrowhead Studios will not prioritize DEI in its games unless it is absolutely necessary for the player experience.

Helldiver 2 Johan Pilestedt, creative director and CCO at Arrowhead Studios, recently said that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't always necessary in video games. Pilestedt gave his opinion on controversial issues, Helldiver 2 Fans and video game enthusiasts.

DEI has become an important topic of discussion within the video game industry. Many creators in the media have embraced the idea of ​​diverse representation and advocated for the inclusion of people from all backgrounds in video games. In the past, it was more common to see the same archetypes of characters over and over again. However, over time, this situation began to change and nowadays, protagonists have become more diverse, as in movies and other artistic media. That said, some believe that forcing the inclusion of DEI makes some games feel unnatural (a notable example is the controversy surrounding it). the last of us part 2), while others believe this is an important aspect that will define the future direction of video games. that Helldiver 2 The creative director recently shared his thoughts on the matter.

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Does Helldivers 2 develop more of a sequel appeal than having a standalone Helldivers 3?

To be honest, I think the approach Arrowhead is taking with Helldivers 2 is one that many live service games could easily adopt, especially sports games. I'd like to see companies like NBA 2K or EA Sports FC take inspiration from Arrowhead's book and focus on servicing existing titles long-term before moving on to new titles. From where I stand, evolving Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3 over time is in the best interest of the existing player base, and I hope this will lead to rewards in the form of long-term loyalty to the product.

Johan Pilestedt, CCO at Arrowhead Studios, took to Twitter to ask players about their expectations for Arrowhead's next title. Helldiver 2It was revealed that a high concept is already being prepared. In response to the post, one player advised Pilestedt to “never add DEI” to his game. Pilestedt was quick to take the opportunity and respond, saying that he believes DEI could detract from the game experience if it doesn't help it. According to him, “Games should be purely about amazing moments.” This means that DEI is not always necessary as some have been led to believe. Finally, Pilestedt said he was not interested in contemporary political statements. What's important to him is making good games.

Helldivers 2 creative director believes DEI can degrade the gaming experience.

Arrowhead Studios' CCO's comments drew mixed reactions from players. Some people believe that “good media” always includes political speech and that DEI is necessary to prevent discrimination. Helldiver 2 The piece itself reflects contemporary political themes. Others appreciate Pilestedt's comments, calling them “common sense” and believe the inclusion of DEI has gone too far.

Games should be purely about amazing moments.

Even though this may be his personal opinion, the last thing Arrowhead Studios needs right now is more controversy. Just a few weeks ago, the studio had to apologize: Helldiver 2 Fans are concerned about the price killzone Items found in the game's Superstore. The game faced significant backlash from players who complained about its crossover handling and monetization strategy.

DEI remains a controversial topic, but it is also an important topic of discussion within the video game industry. There's no word yet on how things will be handled in Arrowhead Studios' next game, but one thing is clear: Pilestedt will not include DEI unless absolutely necessary.

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