(Image credit: Sony)
If you’ve been immersed in Helldivers 2 since its release last year, you’re likely well-acquainted with the infamous Malevolon Creek. Often referred to as “robot Vietnam” for its dense jungle and fierce battles, the initial days with limited stratagems and undeveloped ship modules proved endlessly challenging. But do you recall Mort? And how nearly the entire campaign was jeopardized by none other than Gabe Newell?
During a recent GDC talk, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt fondly reflected on Malevelon Creek and Mort. “Mort was just another planet in our creation process, but our community held it dear,” Pilestedt remarked. Although not crucial to triumph in the Galactic War, there was a collective determination not to lose the battle after enduring severe hardships at Malevelon Creek.
Many planetary missions are on a timer, and Pilestedt recalls, “the community was down to just 20 minutes to secure victory or face defeat.” Suddenly, players were greeted with a “please wait democratically” message and the infamous buffering spinner. The entire PC audience was disconnected, leading to questions about server issues. The unexpected culprit? Gabe Newell, the mind behind Steam, during a pivotal Steam update.
Following the update, a mere ten minutes remained to salvage Mort. Ingenious strategies were born from the urgency. “Community members began advocating for finishing primary missions without extraction to ensure the data on liberation and defense was logged,” Pilestedt elaborates. “They encouraged repeatedly sacrificing the squad once the main objectives were clear—it’d be our price for freedom.”
Though freedom isn’t without cost, the efforts paid off as Mort was saved with just 20 seconds to spare, Pilestedt notes with satisfaction. “We were at the office, snack in hand,” he reminisces. Helldivers 2‘s community-driven interaction with the Galactic War remains a highlight of the experience. The studio is currently exploring methods to promote engagement and refine the end-game, and anticipation builds for their forthcoming advancements.
Meanwhile, explore some of the finest online games available today for more thrilling digital adventures.