Summary
Helldivers 2, released on February 8, has amassed an impressive player base within just a few weeks. In a remarkable display of popularity,Helldivers 2has not only overtakenDestiny 2’s all-time peak player counton Steam, but it even managed to topple the previous chart-topper,Palworld. As new players continue to join the growing community, they’ll encounter a deep and engaging world with its own lore and mechanics to master.
Helldivers 2’s captivating lore has drawn in both seasoned veterans and fresh recruits, fostering a thriving community dedicated to understanding the game’s mysteries and narrative. However, one question continues to circulate, even among older players: who is Joel? This name has become increasingly prominent within theHelldiverscommunity, though some may not realize Joel’s significance in the game.
Helldivers 2’s Galactic War Is Being Spearheaded By One Man
Joel Is Helldivers 2’s Virtual Dungeon Master
According to an interview with Arrowhead Game Studios, the mysterious person known as Joel is the shooter’s Game Master, a person responsible for influencing and observing in-game events. Considering thatHelldivers 2is home to an intricate narrative, it makes sense that there would be a mastermind behind it all. However, the realization that the MMO is being manipulated by a single human being may come as a surprise to some players.
Arrowhead Game Studios commented that the studio purposefully designed the system in such a way that the “Game Master has a lot of control over the play experience.” As such, every time players move their focus - either as a unified force or in small groups - to different planets and sectors, Joel makes a counterplay with theAutomatons and Terminidshe has available. With Joel able to change the tide of the war and dictate how difficult the game becomes, it’s appropriate that he’s being touted as the game’s all-seeing Dungeon Master.
“With Joel able to change the tide of the war and dictate how difficult the game becomes, it’s appropriate that he’s heralded as the game’s all-seeing dungeon master.”
Since the Helldiver Corps is currently being directed by the Major Order to kill theinfestation of Terminids on Veld, it’s clear Joel will play a large part in whether the mission is a success. With the Game Master pulling the strings on the campaign to liberate Veld, victory is never assured, regardless of how hard players fight in the name of democracy. Just recently, the Helldivers suffered a major setback on the western front where they lost Malevelon Creek to the Automatons.
Helldivers 2’s Scope Is Expanding
Regrettably, the absence of an in-engine narrative director requires Joel to be constantly keeping a watchful eye on the game world. This continuous management, combined with the desire to meet both studio and community expectations, has taken a toll on Joel’s sleep, as reported by the community manager, Baskinator. In light of theexplosive success ofHelldivers 2, surpassing its initial launch expectations, Arrowhead Game Studios acknowledged the need for an “emergency expansion” to the Grand Master team in hopes of relieving the pressure on Joel.
Fortunately, sinceHelldivers 2is still young, the ongoing battles against theenemies of Managed Democracyoffer a valuable learning experience for the developers and players alike. As players make their way across the galactic map, it’s been explained that Joel has had to “grease the wheels for the enemy a few times” to stop troops from overtaking planets too easily. As time goes on, Joel will likely increase the difficulty of the game as players advance beyond what some have theorized is just a “learning stage.”
Arrowhead Game Studios has commented that the Game Master is not changing the percentage of liberated areas when monitoring campaigns. Instead, this number is based on the concurrent player count of Helldivers versus enemies. The higher the enemy count, the more land they take back.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
