Arrowhead Game Studios has finally broken the silence on what fans can expect from the team behind Helldivers 2, one of the biggest cooperative live‑service success stories of the generation. Although the studio is still neck‑deep in the ongoing demands of supporting its global hit, Chief Creative Officer Johan Pilestedt has now shared the first real hint about the direction of Arrowhead’s next game—and for longtime fans, the comments are both reassuring and intriguing.
Helldivers 2 arrived as an unexpected phenomenon. The first game had a strong cult following, but no one in the industry predicted the sequel would explode into one of the most talked‑about live‑service titles of 2024. Its chaotic mission structure, uncompromising difficulty, and brutally satirical tone gave it a distinctive identity that resonated deeply with players worldwide. By the time 2025 rolled around, Arrowhead had gone from a mid‑sized studio with a niche hit to a major developer responsible for one of the largest cooperative communities in gaming.
The success did not come without challenges. Months of server strain, balancing decisions, community controversies, and content delivery expectations placed enormous pressure on the studio. Yet despite the turbulence, Helldivers 2 has held strong with a dedicated population and an active update roadmap. This long‑term commitment to the game naturally raised questions about Arrowhead’s future: would the team settle in as the “Helldivers studio,” or were they preparing something brand‑new?
During a recent interview at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, Pilestedt finally pulled back the curtain—just a little. According to him, Arrowhead’s next project is intended to “continue the legacy” the studio has already created. While he avoided specifics, he emphasized that whatever comes next will not stray far from the strengths that made Helldivers 2 a global hit.
Pilestedt explained that the studio wants fans to recognize the familiar DNA in their next game. That means the tone, gameplay structure, or vision—perhaps all three—will feel noticeably connected to Helldivers. His statements suggest a spiritual successor rather than a traditional sequel, something that builds on their signature design philosophy without simply repeating the same formula.
For the many fans who fell in love with Helldivers 2’s intense co‑op systems, this is welcome news. The jump from the original game’s top‑down structure to a full third‑person shooter in the sequel was a risky move, one that could have easily alienated longtime fans. Instead, the gamble paid off dramatically, proving that Arrowhead can evolve its formula while keeping its identity intact. Pilestedt’s reassurance signals that the next title will follow that same philosophy—evolution, not abandonment.
Despite the excitement, Pilestedt was clear that the project is still at a very early stage. Development has barely begun. He described this period as one of his favorite phases in game creation: forming the team, exploring ideas, establishing trust, and discovering the shared creative direction. It’s the phase where foundations are laid long before assets, combat systems, or levels are produced.
This early status means fans shouldn’t expect an announcement—let alone a release—anytime soon. Arrowhead also confirmed earlier this year that Helldivers 3 is not currently planned, and that Helldivers 2’s ongoing support is likely to carry the franchise forward for a long while. The studio has no interest in prematurely moving to a traditional sequel when the current game is still expanding with new enemies, planetary events, and long-term narrative arcs.
This strategy makes sense. In the modern era of live-service gaming, creating a successful cooperative shooter is one challenge—sustaining it is another. Many titles burn bright and fade quickly. Helldivers 2 avoided that fate by embracing community-driven updates and unpredictable world events. Arrowhead seems intent on continuing this strategy rather than splitting the player base with a new numbered installment.
But while Helldivers 3 may not be on the horizon, Pilestedt’s latest comments confirm that Arrowhead also wants to avoid being defined solely by one franchise. A studio that becomes boxed into a single identity risks creative stagnation. By planning a new game that shares Helldivers’ spirit but stands as its own project, Arrowhead can evolve without discarding its strengths.
This opens up many possibilities. Could the next project be another cooperative shooter but set in a completely different universe? Could it explore a new genre while maintaining the chaotic teamwork that Helldivers players adore? Or might Arrowhead push into new territory entirely, with only subtle connections to its past work?
As always with early development, fans will need to wait patiently for answers. Given the timeline and Arrowhead’s continuing focus on Helldivers 2, a full reveal may still be years away. But the fact that the studio has started speaking publicly about the project suggests that its conceptual stage is solidifying.
Until then, players can expect Helldivers 2 to remain Arrowhead’s primary focus. The game’s ongoing updates, seasonal arcs, and evolving universe are still generating major community engagement. And as long as that momentum continues, it will serve as the foundation for whatever the studio builds next.
One thing is certain: Arrowhead is not finished shaping the modern cooperative experience. Their next game may still be shrouded in mystery, but the promise of familiar DNA—and a continuation of the studio’s design philosophy—ensures that fans have every reason to stay excited.
