The developer of Helldivers 2 has expressed its commitment to not imposing microtransactions on players. The game has received praise for its monetization since its recent release on PC and PlayStation 5. Many players appreciate the restraint shown in comparison to other live service games. Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead, the developer of Helldivers 2, emphasized that the team will never force players to buy microtransactions, and they are available for those who choose to support the game.
Despite the positive reception, not everyone is satisfied with how Helldivers 2 has implemented its monetization. The game is sold for $40, offering microtransactions, including a premium battle pass, which has caused some frustration among fans. However, the game allows players to unlock content through in-game currency earned by playing, and the content isn’t exclusive to the battle pass. The game has garnered goodwill within its player base and has mostly positive reviews on Steam, with a Metacritic score of 8.1/10.
Despite some server outages over the launch weekend, Helldivers 2 is entering its first full week since launch on a positive note. In contrast, another game, Foamstars, has faced criticism for its microtransactions. A single cosmetic set in Foamstars costs $45, which has led to online mockery. Although the items are purely cosmetic, the high price tag seems to exceed what most players are willing to pay.
It remains to be seen how these games will adjust their monetization strategies in response to player feedback.
