Helldivers 2, the fastest-selling game on PlayStation, marks a triumphant milestone for Arrowhead Studios as they set their sights on ambitious growth.
Helldivers 2 has achieved remarkable success, becoming the fastest-selling game on PlayStation. Former Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt, now in a creative capacity, shared the studio's jubilant journey with GamesIndustry.biz. Despite numerous challenges along the way, Arrowhead is poised for growth, fueled by the triumph of its latest endeavor.
Arrowhead's Vision For The Future
The game's triumph has sparked ambitious dreams for Arrowhead's future. Pilestedt envisions the studio ascending to the heights of fame occupied by giants like FromSoftware or Blizzard, though he has no intention of taking the studio public.Basking in the spotlight means dealing with both positive and negative community interactions, and Arrowhead has not been immune to the challenges. Issues such as game balance concerns and the controversial PSN account requirement after launch have loomed large. Reflecting on past hurdles, Pilestedt stresses the importance of transparent communication and quick problem resolution, though he acknowledges that the stakes are higher now.
Still, Arrowhead remains optimistic about what lies ahead. Pilestedt is excited to see how high the studio can soar with Jorjani at the helm, with aspirations of becoming a beacon studio similar to FromSoftware or Blizzard. "We really want to elevate Arrowhead to flagship status, where game developers aspiring to create such experiences think, 'I want to work at Arrowhead,'" Jorjani said.
While FromSoftware and Blizzard may differ in many ways, the goal is more philosophical. Jorjani emphasizes that growth is "a means to an end, not an end in itself," with the primary goal being the creation of exceptional games and a nurturing work environment. Pilestedt agrees, saying, "The drive to simply craft outstanding games is the essence of our existence."