The ever-enigmatic game master known as Joel, the puppet master behind the evolving narrative of Helldivers 2, has sparked a whirlwind of speculation and intrigue within the game’s community. A viral video clip has surfaced, allegedly showing Joel himself joining a player’s game, gifting them with an as-yet unreleased vehicle, and promptly vanishing into the night with a cryptic message: “Hey guys I need to get back to work. Please take this.”
The footage depicts an APC-like vehicle being spawned into the game, bearing a striking resemblance to leaks and datamined information about upcoming vehicular additions to Helldivers 2. However, the veracity of the clip and the true identity of the supposed “Joel” have been called into question by a verified source close to the development team at Arrowhead Game Studios.
According to this insider, the individual who delivered the unreleased vehicle is not the real game master Joel but rather an impersonator, raising the grim prospect of multiple “Joels” operating within the game’s universe. The source, referred to as a “Jource” (Joel Source), reached out to clarify that the real Joel, consumed by his relentless scheming and narrative manipulation, would never be so brazen as to directly intervene in players’ games.
“Real Joel is, however, seemingly glad that the impersonator wanted ‘other people to have fun’ as it’s a goal that they ‘both share,'” the Jource ominously stated, hinting at the game master’s twisted sense of amusement derived from players’ confusion and suffering.
"Joel: Please take this"
WHAT?!!#Helldivers2 #HelldiversII pic.twitter.com/zoOSpd1I57
— Helldivers 2 Media (@Helldiversmedia) March 24, 2024
This revelation has ignited a maelstrom of theories and speculation within the Helldivers 2 community. Who is this “Other Joel,” and how did they gain access to unreleased content? Are they operating independently or as part of a grander machination orchestrated by the real Joel? The possibilities are as numerous as they are unsettling, with some even suggesting that any individual named Joel, from celebrities to personal acquaintances, could potentially be implicated in this web of deception.
Amidst the chaos, one thing remains certain: Arrowhead Game Studios is no stranger to keeping its community guessing. Game director Johan Pilestedt has previously vehemently denied the existence of flying bugs, only to later admit their possibility, further fueling the air of mystery that surrounds Helldivers 2.
As players eagerly await official word from the developers, the hunt for the truth behind the “Other Joel” continues, serving as a potent reminder of the intricate narrative tapestry woven by the game’s masterminds. Whether this incident was a carefully orchestrated ploy or a rogue act of generosity, one thing is clear: the war against the Terminids and Automatons has taken an unexpected turn, and the lines between reality and fiction have never been more blurred.
