Helldivers 2 boss wants to make Arrowhead “the next FromSoftware or Blizzard”
Helldivers 2 was a great success, but also brought difficulties, including threats from some players. Former Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt, now primarily a creative executive, said the studio aims to become “the next FromSoftware or Blizzard.”
To do this, the studio needs to adapt to the public’s attention. Community interaction was mostly positive, but there were issues with the game’s balance and PSN requirements post-launch. The studio is learning from previous releases, such as the troubled launch of Magicka in 2011, and is committed to openness and quick response to problems.
Me and Shams [Georjani, the new CEO of Arrowhead, who was a producer on Magicka] realized that we needed to engage with the community, talk to them honestly and explain what was going on as best we could. And then immediately take action to solve problems.
The increase in the number of players has caused difficulties in managing the community, including threats and rude behavior. Pilestedt and new CEO Shams Jorjani believe part of this is due to Arrowhead’s approach to making games, which strives for uniqueness.
Arrowhead plans to work with the community to reduce toxicity by providing tools for positive communication. Jorjani said Arrowhead needs to work with the community to help it moderate itself, giving people the tools to communicate positively with each other.
Pilestedt said:
I want to see how high we can fly. And with Shams on board, we have good potential to realize that future, to become the next FromSoftware or Blizzard.
We really want to make Arrowhead a flagship studio where people who want to make these games will say to themselves, “I want to work at Arrowhead.” When we were growing up, we really wanted to work at Blizzard, it was one of our dream places to work. I think Arrowhead has potential for this.
We do not do business for financial gain. Humility and the desire to simply create great games is the only reason we exist.
At the very least, Arrowhead definitely has potential.
Helldivers 2 boss wants to make Arrowhead “the next FromSoftware or Blizzard”
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