"We wanted to do live service right": With 2.5 million players a week 1.5 years after launch, Helldivers 2 boss says it's down to "great free updates, optional paid, and long-term commitment"

A Helldiver waves a flag while looking down at a battlefield in a screenshot from Helldivers 2's Masters of Ceremony trailer.

Helldivers 2 boss Johan Pilestedt is currently celebrating a huge resurgence of players in the game, even if it's because something devastating has happened to Super Earth.

The Helldivers 2 community is devastated at the moment. We failed in holding back the Illuminate, and the sick profanities have invaded our home, Super Earth. If you can get over the disgusting tactics of these awful space zombies, you'll be happy to know the citizens and brave Helldivers of Super Earth have banded together to defend our home, with players flocking back to the game.