Sony announced in their recent earnings call that the multiplayer third-person shooter game “Helldivers 2” has become PlayStation’s fastest-selling video game ever, selling 12 million units in its first 12 weeks. This figure surpasses the sales of other popular games such as “God of War Ragnarök,” making it one of the game’s first official sales figures that highlights its phenomenal success.
One key factor contributing to the success of “Helldivers 2” is its lower price point of $39.99, compared to other AAA titles on PlayStation 5. Additionally, being available on both PS5 and PC at launch allowed the game to attract a large player base, with a peak of 458,709 concurrent players on Steam. This milestone marked the game as Sony’s biggest PC hit title, significantly boosting sales and profits in the company’s last quarter.
The game’s developer, Arrowhead Game Studios, faced challenges with server crashes due to overwhelming player demand at launch. They were forced to cap concurrent players at 450,000 to stabilize servers but later upgraded their capacity to accommodate more players. Despite initial issues, Arrowhead received support from players for addressing user concerns, such as the requirement for PC players to link their accounts to PlayStation Network. This requirement was later dropped to accommodate players without access to PlayStation Network.
The success of “Helldivers 2” has propelled Sony’s stock price, which closed up more than 6% following the earnings call. This positive reception comes after a recent low point for Sony’s stock, indicating investor confidence in the company’s gaming division. The game’s popularity in the gaming community is further highlighted by its peak concurrent player numbers, which are comparable to other popular titles on Steam like “Terraria” and “Call of Duty: Warzone.”
Overall, “Helldivers 2” has proven to be a commercial success for Sony, surpassing sales expectations and becoming one of PlayStation’s best-selling games. With its strong player base on both PS5 and PC, the game has solidified its position as a top title in the gaming industry. As Sony continues to capitalize on the success of “Helldivers 2,” it remains to be seen how the game will further impact the company’s financial performance and overall standing in the gaming market.
