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As developers across the gaming industry scramble to tick boxes and wave their DEI flags, Arrowhead Game Studios has taken a refreshingly different approach withHelldivers 2. In a recent X exchange that’s set the internet ablaze, Creative Chief Officer Johan Pilestedt shared some rather spicy thoughts about inclusion in games.
While some studios seem more focused on checking diversity quotas than creating engaging experiences, Arrowhead appears to be doing something far more interesting: letting the gameplay speak for itself. And in true Super Earth fashion, they’re managing to be inclusive by being… well, universally xenophobic.
It’s a bold strategy that’s already ruffled some feathers in the gaming community, but when you’re busy spreading managed democracy across the galaxy, who has time for“contemporary political statements?”
HowHelldivers 2approaches the “woke” debate
In an industry increasingly obsessed with ticking boxes and virtue signaling,Helldivers 2stands as a beacon of refreshing honesty. While other developers trip over themselves to prove their woke credentials, Arrowhead has chosen to focus on what really matters: creating an experience that brings players together through the shared joy of “accidental” friendly fire and strategically questionable orbital strikes.
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Recent gaming history is littered with examples of titles that prioritized messaging over mechanics. Games likeConcordcrashed and burnedfaster than a poorly aimed Orbital Laser during extract—serving as costly reminders that players generally prefer their games to be, you know, actually fun to play.
When asked about adding DEI to future games, Pilestedt didn’t mince words:
Never add dei to your games
If it doesnt add to the game experience, it detracts. And games should be a pure pursuit of amazing moments.
This straightforward approach has been like a breath of fresh air in an industry often suffocating under the weight of its own self-importance. While other studios release carefully crafted statements vetted by PR teams,Arrowheadseems content to let their game’s quality speak for itself.
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The conversation took an even more interesting turn when Pilestedt was pressed about DEI inHelldivers 2specifically:
How would DEI have benefited Helldivers 2?
I don’t like labels. But mankind is united in its extreme xenophobia on Super Earth.#Inclusionso, maybe that’s DEI?I really don’t care. Make good games, don’t make a contemporary political statement.
In an era where every game seems desperate to make a grand political statement, there’s something oddly refreshing about a title that’s content to just let players have fun spreading democracy across the galaxy, one orbital strike (and one subsequent squad wipe) at a time—no seatbelts and all.
The beautiful irony of Super Earth’s anti-woke unity
What makesHelldivers 2′s approach particularly brilliant is how it manages to achieve genuine inclusion through its satirical premise. By creating a future where humanitystands united in its comically over-the-top xenophobia, the game inadvertently creates one of the most inclusive gaming communities out there.
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And while the community’s response to Pilestedt’s comments has been as divided as you’d expect, some players have picked up on this clever subversion:
I can assure you, if we had legitimate aliens to contend with. All the ‘human on human’ violence and racism would cease in a week, the planet would unite in a month, and we’d be championing our civilization across the stars within the year.
It’s a point that cuts to the heart of what makesHelldivers 2‘s approach to inclusion so clever. By uniting humanity against a common enemy (or three), the game achieves diversity without making it feel forced or preachy:
I for one enjoy Helldivers -because- of the way its politics are structured/presented. It’s all a huge joke that (most of) the community is in on, hence the shouting of SWEET LIBERTY.The raw reality is put on display once you’re on the ground, I.E. the grave sites around maps.
So, while some “gamers” are already sharpening their pitchforks overJohan Pilestedt‘s comments, they might want to take a closer look at what Arrowhead has actually achieved here. In creating a world where humanity stands united in its xenophobia, they’ve crafted something far more nuanced than your typical “message game.”
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After all, nothing brings people together quite like the shared experience of accidentally dropping a 500kg Bomb on your squadmates while screaming about liberty. Now that’s what we call managed democracy in action!
What do you think about Pilestedt’s comments? IsHelldivers 2′s approach to inclusion brilliant satire or missing the mark? Share your thoughts below, but remember—any signs of bug sympathy will be reported to the Ministry of Truth!
Soumyajit Mukherjee
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :966
Soumyajit Mukherjee is a Gaming Writer at FandomWire, known for his deep dives into tactical shooters and co-op games. Since joining in June 2024, he’s focused on breakout multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, bringing sharp analysis and veteran instincts to every story. His gaming journey began at a local café with the OG Modern Warfare 2, and from that very first frag, he’s been chasing the rush ever since.A former competitive Rainbow Six Siege team captain, Soumyajit has played and written about everything from CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends to Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. He’s proudly PC-first and has been since said LAN days… but with GTA 6 looming on the horizon, a long-overdue PS5 might finally sneak onto his setup.
