Arrowhead Game Studios’ popular sci-fi shooter Helldivers 2 is facing an unexpected challenge. Players farming resources are disrupting the community’s wider goal of fighting back alien threats. This has led to tensions between farmers and players committed to completing full operations.
In Helldivers 2, players battle the insectoid Terminids and robotic Automatons to liberate planets across the galaxy. Operations comprise multiple missions that must be finished to count as a victory against the alien factions.
However, some players quickly complete easier missions, like eliminating a set number of enemies, solely to farm experience points and resources. They then abandon the rest of the operation, causing it to count as a loss despite others still fighting on.
Prioritizing Personal Gain Over Collective War Effort
This farming strategy is frustrating to players who stick around to complete tougher multi-stage operations. As one Redditor complained, “People farming on defense missions are the reason why Super Earth will be taken eventually.” Farmers are seen as prioritizing personal progression over the collective goal of liberating planets.
However, there are nuances to the issue. Some players dislike certain grueling mission types and would rather farm more straightforward battles. The overall grind in Helldivers 2 can also make efficient farming appealing. Additionally, the consequences of abandoning operations aren’t clearly conveyed by the game itself.
Potential Solutions to Realign Priorities
Ideas have emerged to realign priorities and convey the importance of finishing operations. Locking easier missions as the final stage of operations could help, as could better tutorials explaining how incomplete operations damage the war effort. Unique rewards for fully liberating planets could also incentivize operation completion.
Ultimately, the farming controversy symbolizes a clash between individual and collective goals. As Helldivers 2 expands its content, developer Arrowhead may need to better align progression with community success. This could encourage players to work together towards victory rather than undermine shared objectives for their own benefit.
Striking that balance will allow Helldivers 2’s unique combination of co-op, competition, and meta-progression to truly flourish. United against alien threats, democracy could still prevail.
