Helldivers 2’s creative director recently shared his dream crossovers, sparking excitement among fans. This article explores these potential collaborations and the director's reasoning behind them.
Helldivers 2 Creative Director Reveals Dream Crossovers
From Starship Troopers to Warhammer 40K
Video game crossovers are hugely popular, from fighting games featuring unexpected guests to Fortnite's ever-expanding roster. Helldivers 2 creative director, Johan Pilestedt, recently joined the conversation, revealing his dream crossovers, including iconic franchises like Starship Troopers, Terminator, and Warhammer 40,000.
The discussion started with a tweet praising the tabletop game Trench Crusade. A playful exchange led to Pilestedt suggesting a crossover, met with enthusiastic support from Trench Crusade’s team. Further discussions hinted at potential collaborations between these war-themed universes.
For those unfamiliar, Trench Crusade is a unique wargame set in an alternate World War I, pitting the forces of Heaven and Hell against each other. Created by concept artist Mike Franchina and former Warhammer designer Tuomas Pirinen, it presents a world of relentless conflict.
However, Pilestedt later tempered expectations, citing numerous challenges. He clarified that these were initial thoughts rather than concrete plans, and expanded his dream crossover list to include Alien, Starship Troopers, Terminator, Predator, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. He emphasized that including all these would compromise the game's unique satirical, militaristic identity. Adding too many would create a "not Helldivers" experience, diluting the core IP.
The appeal is understandable. Crossovers are common in live-service games, and Helldivers 2’s intense alien battles seem perfectly suited for such partnerships. Yet, Pilestedt prioritizes preserving the game’s tone and cohesive universe.
While open to both large and small crossover elements—a single weapon or a full character skin—he stressed these are personal preferences, and nothing is finalized.
Many appreciate Arrowhead Studios’ cautious approach, contrasting with the trend of live-service games overwhelming players with numerous skins and accessories that often clash with the game's original setting. Helldivers 2’s unique universe takes precedence.
Ultimately, the decision on crossovers rests with the developers. While some franchises might fit seamlessly, whether these collaborations materialize remains to be seen. The possibility of Super Earth soldiers facing Xenomorphs alongside Jango Fett or the Terminator is intriguing, even if potentially disruptive to the game's core identity.
