Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has released the Polar Patriots Premium Warbond as planned after the boss of the studio polled fans on whether it should go ahead so soon after what he called “negative sentiment” over the game’s PlayStation Network account linking.
Sony’s controversial decision to force Helldivers 2 PC gamers to account link to PlayStation Network saw the game’s Steam user review rating collapse from ‘overwhelmingly positive’ to ‘mostly negative’ after over 200,000 negative reviews flooded Valve’s platform. The sheer volume of negative reviews left in such a short space of time caused Johan Pilestedt, boss of developer Arrowhead, to tweet: “Ouch, right in the review score.” Sony subsequently U-turned on its decision, but Pilestedt has admitted Arrowhead must now rebuild trust with its community.
Overnight, Pilestedt polled his Twitter followers asking if Arrowhead should go ahead and release the Warbond following recent events. “With the negative sentiment around account linking, a concern from the team came up about ‘is it tone deaf to release a new (paid) warbond this soon?’ and therefore we are putting it to a real vote in true democratic fashion,” he tweeted. “So please guide us, would you rather have the new Warbond: Polar Patriots.”
Two options were given: Release Tomorrow or Delay Release. Release Tomorrow won out, with over 70% of the vote, and today, May 9, it has launched.
Thank you everybody for your contribution. Democracy has spoken!
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 9, 2024
The release of the Premium Warbond comes after a difficult couple of weeks for Arrowhead, which has run up against publisher and Helldivers IP owner Sony over the proposed PSN account link mandate and fought to keep its vocal hardcore fans on-side. Some Arrowhead staff had voiced their displeasure at the news, with statements made on the Helldivers Discord pored over by the game’s community.
As for the Premium Warbond itself, with a deep freeze theme and a Snowtrooper vibe, Polar Patriots adds new weapons, armor, capes, and emotes to the explosive co-op PC and PlayStation 5 shooter. As with previous Premium Warbonds, Polar Patriots costs 1,000 Super Credits. While you can earn Super Credits from gameplay and the Warbond itself, you can also buy them for real-world money. Via the in-game shop, 1,000 Super Credits costs $9.99. Premium Warbonds do not expire, so you can work your way through them at your own pace safe in the knowledge their items will remain available.
Helldivers 2 Premium Warbond Polar Patriots contents:
Primary Weapons
- AR-61 Tenderizer – A real tentacle-tearer. This high calibre assault rifle has awesome stopping power but limited magazine size, so make each shot count. Unpatriotic “banter” shots are not advisable.
- SMG-72 Pummeler – A slower rate of fire than your other SMGs but these concussive rounds will leave your enemies dazed, confused, and still very ugly. Good things come to Helldivers who wait.
- PLAS-101 Purifier – Set the trap. Hold the trigger. Let them charge at you. Smile. They’re getting closer. Smile again. Closer. Smile. Closer. Smile. Closer… and release the trigger. S.P.L.A.T. The longer you can hold your nerve, and the trigger, the bigger the damage.
Secondary weapons / Utility Booster
- G-13 Incendiary Impact – Don’t waste time reading the instructions, lob it at the enemy and run. This thing detonates on impact and ignites the area in white phosphorus, so make sure you – and your allies – are not standing around having a chat.
- P-113 Verdict – The guys in R&D love this one. Gas-operated, semi-automatic, and chambers the largest centrefire cartridge of any lunpistol of its kind. “Rapid Deliberation”, they call it. Quick-draw to look cool in front of your squad.
- Motivational Shocks – Literally shocks Helldivers back into action after being hit and slowed by sneaky, unjust attacks like the revolting bug acid vomit. Won’t help you much with area effects like EMS strikes, though.
Armour
- CW-36 Winter Warrior – Blend into snowy environments with perfect camouflage. The enemy will never see you coming, until it’s far too late. Ah the sweet smell of stealth. Passive boost – Serve-assisted.
- CW-22 Kodiak – Thoroughly pressure-tested by patriotic volunteers as part of the Test Subjects for Super Earth Citizen Advancement Programme. Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Passive boost – Fortified.
- CW-4 Arctic Ranger – Features a nifty utility belt boasting handy pockets that can be filled with any number of things – pocket knives, mementoes, interesting rocks, Terminid tentacles, bits of bots, etc.
Capes
- Dissident’s Nightmare – Scientifically proven to be “terrifying” to dissent-afflicted citizens during extensive testing in Patriotic Rehabilitation Centres.
- Pinions of Everlasting Glory – All but ensures ascension to the immortal ranks of those enshrined in the Super Earth Digital Archive of Valorous Acts.
- Order of the Venerated Ballot – Adorned with the insignia of the Order of the Venerated Ballot – a Ministry-sanctioned Patriot’s Club for citizens pledging to preserve the sanctity of voting.
And, of course, the new emotes! We know our brave, heroic soldiers like to bust out a new move right in the middle of ferocious battles – no matter the deadly risk – so rock out with Mime Instrumentation, request incoming patriotic chat with Call the Helldivers, and search for new voters with Distribute Ballots.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
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