Helldivers 2, the blockbuster release of 2024, has sold over 12 million copies in its first three months, creating a vibrant and dedicated community. However, several missteps by developers Arrowhead Game Studios and publisher Sony have led to a decline, with players moving on to other games.

A graph from Steamdb highlights the dramatic drop in player numbers over the past month, with current players at 29,380, a 24-hour peak of 70,835, and an all-time peak of 458,709 three months ago. The game's player base is dwindling at a concerning rate. Image via Steamdb Steamdb reports that Helldivers 2 has hit its lowest player count yet. Just weeks ago, the game boasted over 150,000 concurrent players on Steam, but it has now been ten days since it surpassed 100,000. Several factors contribute to this decline, although there is hope that Arrowhead Game Studios can reverse the trend.

A significant blow came from the recent PSN controversy, which damaged the community's trust. Despite Sony retracting its plans two days later, the restriction of the game in 180 countries continues to affect player numbers.

The lack of new content to unlock has also been a problem. The last major unlockable, the Exosuit Mech at level 25, left players with little to strive for as the level cap rose to 150. The Polar Patriots Warbond update disappointed many, with weapons failing to make an impact on the meta, reducing the incentive to pursue them.

Weapon nerfs and excessive balancing by Arrowhead Game Studios have frustrated players, making some weapons less enjoyable to use. Although the developers have promised to rebalance the weapons, this may be too late to retain disillusioned players.

Additionally, player fatigue may be contributing to the decline. After three months of intense play, some players might simply be seeking a new experience. The introduction of fresh content, such as The Illuminate, could entice some players back.