Summary
Following the launch of the popularHelldivers 2, Microsoft Gaming’s Phil Spencer has addressed its PlayStation and PC exclusivity by saying he’s “not exactly sure who it helps.” TheHelldivers 2comment comes after recent news that a handful of Xbox exclusives will be making the jump to competing platforms.
During a recent presentation, Spencer and other Xbox executives confirmed thatfour Xbox exclusives will be going multi-platform in the future. They did not specify which games these will be, but insiders claim thatHi-Fi Rush,Pentiment,Sea of Thieves, andGroundedmake up the list. Rumors regarding Xbox exclusives going multi-platform had spread for months leading up to the announcement, and some even claimed that flagship games likeHalo,Starfield, and others would be included in the new strategy. While it’s been confirmed that this isn’t the case, the recent announcement still marks a reformed approach for Xbox, which Spencer emphasized in a recent interview.
During an interview withGame File, Spencer brought upHelldivers 2’s exclusivity by saying, “I’m not exactly sure who it helps in the industry by not being on Xbox. If you try to twist yourself to say, like, somehow that benefited somebody somewhere.” Spencer seems to be suggesting that Sony could be growing theHelldiversbrand much more effectively if it released the game for Xbox’s large player base. However, Spencer also empathized with Sony’s decision by further stating, “But I get it. There’s a legacy in console gaming that we’re going to benefit by shipping games and not putting them on other places. We do the same thing.” While exclusivity is still alive and well within gaming, Spencer commented during Xbox’s recent presentation that the concept will likely begin to die out within the next decade as multi-platform live-service games become increasingly prevalent.
Helldivers 2 Has Soared to Impressive Heights
WhileHelldivers 2probably won’t benefit from Spencer’s vision for the future of exclusivity, it’s doing pretty well on its own. The game is Steam’s global top-selling game at the time of writing andsmashed Sony’s Steam recordby becoming the publisher’s highest-played game ever on the platform. AndHelldivers 2’s popularity is still accelerating, as it just hit its peak player count on Steam yesterday, on February 15, after reaching over 255,000 concurrent users.
The near-instant success of the third-person shooter is made more impressive by the fact thatHelldivers 2launched with some major issues. The game’s highly entertaining gameplay, in addition to Arrowhead Game Studio’s post-launch patches, has propelled the game to impressive heights.
Helldivers 2released its newest patchearlier today, on February 16, which further improved crashing issues and server optimization. Arrowhead previously announced that it’s working on a reward-heavy event to help make up for the game’s initial problems.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
