Helldivers 2 Offers Free Killzone Set After Pricing Uproar
Helldivers 2 has officially unveiled its first cross-skin collaboration with Killzone 2. However, players quickly voiced their dissatisfaction with the $20 price tag. In response, the game's developers are now offering a second set for free to appease the fanbase. This move comes as a surprise, especially since the Killzone-inspired sets are pricier than any other paid content currently available in the game. As the holiday season approaches, Arrowhead Game Studios hopes this gesture will win back fans.
Free Set Giveaway
In a recent blog post, the developers announced that they are giving away the second batch of Helldivers x Killzone collaboration items for free. The distribution will begin soon in two waves. Additionally, the availability of these items in the Superstore will be extended from 5 to 10 days, giving players a better chance to grab them.
Pricing Concerns
The issue arises from Helldivers 2 being a $40 game that charges high prices for new skins as part of a post-launch monetization strategy. The CEO of Arrowhead has argued that premium sets like the Killzone collaboration are necessary to fund major updates, such as the recent introduction of the Illuminate enemy faction, which are free.
Player Reactions
Many players feel that this crosses a line and doesn't align with the game's previous model, which offered new items as unlockable rewards in $10 battle passes. The Killzone set was initially supposed to be part of a Warbond, but the studio decided against it due to concerns about negative reactions.
Future Plans
- Extending the availability of new cross-items in the monthly store rotation.
- Considering a secondary store for items that never change, ensuring new players can always purchase sought-after items.
Some fans feared this new economic approach was due to interference from publisher Sony. However, CEO Shams Jorjani clarified in the Helldivers 2 Discord that this is not the case. "It's a partnership, but we're in charge of the decisions. It's our fault," he stated.
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