Helldivers 2 Fans Crave Crossovers with Star Wars, Aliens, Yet Developers Steer Clear

Helldivers 2's creative director, Johan Pilestedt, recently opened up about his dream collaborations for the game. Delve into the exciting potential crossovers and hear what Pilestedt has to say about the future of Helldivers 2.

Helldivers 2 Creative Director Reveals Dream Crossovers

From Starship Troopers to Warhammer 40K

Video games often embrace crossovers, from the epic battles in fighting games like Tekken featuring characters from Final Fantasy and The Walking Dead, to Fortnite's diverse lineup of guest stars. Now, Johan Pilestedt, the creative director behind Helldivers 2, has shared his vision for dream crossovers, including iconic franchises such as Starship Troopers, Terminator, and Warhammer 40,000.

The conversation about crossovers began with a tweet from Pilestedt on November 2, where he praised the tabletop game Trench Crusade as a "cool IP." Trench Crusade’s official account responded with a playful yet profane reply, prompting Pilestedt to suggest a crossover between Helldivers 2 and Trench Crusade. The Trench Crusade team, thrilled by the idea, called it "the sickest thing imaginable." Pilestedt then hinted at further discussions, potentially setting the stage for a collaboration between these war-themed universes.

For those unfamiliar, Trench Crusade is a "truly heretical skirmish wargame set in an alternative WW1," where the forces of Hell and Heaven clash on Earth. Developed by concept artist Mike Franchina and former Warhammer designer Tuomas Pirinen, the game reimagines a world marred by endless conflict from medieval times through World War I.

However, Pilestedt soon tempered expectations, noting that "there are so many hurdles." A few days later, he clarified that these were merely "fun musings" rather than solid plans. He expanded his list of dream crossovers to include major sci-fi franchises like Alien, Starship Troopers, Terminator, Predator, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. Yet, he emphasized that incorporating all these could dilute the satirical, militaristic essence of Helldivers 2, stating, "if we were to do all of them, it would dilute the IP and make it a ‘not helldivers’ experience."

Fans are understandably excited about the potential for crossovers, given their prevalence in live-service games. Helldivers 2, with its intense alien battles and detailed combat, seems a natural candidate for such collaborations. However, Pilestedt remains committed to preserving the game's unique tone.

While Pilestedt is open to integrating small crossover elements, such as a single weapon or a character skin available through Warbonds, he stressed that these are his "personal preference and joys in life" and that "nothing [is] decided yet."

Many fans appreciate Arrowhead Studios' cautious approach to crossovers, especially in an era where live-service games often flood with countless skins, weapons, and accessories that might clash with the original setting. By holding back, Pilestedt ensures that Helldivers 2's cohesive universe remains a priority.

Ultimately, the decision on whether and how to implement crossovers in Helldivers 2 lies with the developers. While there's much speculation about how certain franchises could enhance the game's satirical style, it remains uncertain if these crossovers will come to fruition. Perhaps one day, players might see the soldiers of Super Earth confronting Xenomorphs as Jango Fett or the Terminator. Though it may not be the best fit, it's an intriguing concept to explore.