Helldivers 2 Patch 1.000.12 Raises Server Cap to 700,000 Concurrents as Dev Braces Itself for the Weekend

Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has raised the game’s server cap to a whopping 700,000 concurrent users as it braces itself for another weekend of massive player numbers.

Helldivers 2 is a smash hit following its explosive launch across PC via Steam and PlayStation 5, but the co-op focused third-person shooter has suffered from significant issues as server capacity is hit time and time again.

Arrowhead has released a number of patches in a bid to combat the problem, including raising the server cap to 500,000 concurrent users, and indeed this week released a major update (Helldivers 2 patch 1.000.11) targeted at sorting out the most egregious issues. But now, Arrowhead has upped the server cap yet again as it prepares for another influx of players over the weekend.

Helldivers 2 patch 1.000.12 raises the server cap, and fixes an issue where some players would get stuck in cinematics for an extended period of time. In a tweet, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt said the developer had updated the server cap to an incredible 700,000, but warned: “Unfortunately, we expect the CCU to reach that level.” Still, Pilestedt predicted “wait times will be much more bearable.”

In another tweet, Pilestedt insisted that this new server cap is “above what we have been able to support”, and that Arrowhead is “actively monitoring the situation.”

Helldivers 2 is Sony’s biggest PC game launch of all time, with a peak concurrent player figure of 457,649 on Steam. Helldivers 2’s success has even sparked renewed interest in Starship Troopers, the film from which it draws quite a bit of inspiration.

Arrowhead and the Helldivers 2 community will be hoping the servers are able to hold the line going into the weekend, when most expect that peak concurrent record on Steam to fall by the wayside, potentially multiple times.

Arrowhead is still working on a number of issues with Helldivers 2. Here’s the list:

• No text is present for the Requisitions and Social Menu on the Player HUD
• PS5 players may encounter error code 10003001 on the login screen
• Login rate limiting when many are logging in at the same time
• Players can become disconnected during play
• Rewards and other progress may be delayed or not attributed
• Various UI issues may appear when the game interacts with servers
• Pick-up of certain objects in-game may cause characters to freeze in place for an extended period of time
• Some games would not be joinable by others for a short period of time during heavy load
• Other unknown behaviors may occur
• Japanese VO is missing from intro cutscene and Ship TV
• Armor values for light/medium/heavy armor do not currently function as intended

If you’re playing, be sure to check out IGN’s Helldivers 2 guide.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.