“Make good games, don't make a contemporary political statement,” says Helldivers 2 director, as players murder infected citizens for leaders worried about “anti-democratic brainwashing”

Sigh. Helldivers 2 download Developer Arrowhead's CCO and longtime boss Johan Pilestedt has tweeted that his philosophy is to “make good games, not make a contemporary political statement”. Which, you know, is a little weird to say when there's a bunch of games – Helldivers 2 for example – clearly manage to be good with ease and explore political themes by their very nature.

This line from Pilestedt came amid fan chatter about politics and “DEI” — the latter being the diversity and inclusion stuff that Internet idiots think Fight Club is all about club for fights rather than believing that subtext of any kind spoils everything these days – in games. As you can imagine, intelligent points were made.

The thread started off okay, with Pilestedt just ending 2024 by asking people what their “hopes and wishes” are for Arrowhead's next game. Naturally, this being the site that used to be Twitter dot com, one user responded: “Never add DEI to your games.”

“If it doesn't add to the game experience, it takes away. And games should be about the pursuit of amazing moments,” Pilestedt replied to this person. “How would DEI have benefited Helldivers 2?” another user asked the developer.

“I don't like labels. But mankind is united in its extreme xenophobia on Super Earth,” Pilestedt's response to that read, “#Inclusion so, maybe that's DEI? I don't really care. Make good games , don't make a contemporary political statement.”

Got it. Just good games, and nothing that might seem like a contemporary political statement or point. Without interest, let's take a look at the new player Major Order Helldivers 2 has been given in their ongoing war against The Illuminate.

“The Illuminate had to pay a heavy price​​​​ for their merciless campaign of terror,” he says, “The Helldivers killed large swathes of the bloodthirsty alien species, sending a message of what is to come if they choose to continue the attack.

“But the biggest casualty of the Illuminate terrorist campaign was the safety sense of our citizens. In order to restore the safety of our citizens, the Government of Super Earth has unanimously voted for the 'Freedom & Readiness to Enable Effective Mind Protection & Deterrence- Effect' Act 2184, or the FREEDOM Act.

“The Helldivers are ordered to secure Mastia to facilitate the construction of the new Center. Only then will our citizens feel safe.”

What is that FREEDOM Act about, you ask? Well, it will create “a new security force dedicated to the enforcement of loyalty, and will empower them to detect and denounce the influence of the mind, dissent and other serious crimes”. No, nothing political here. Then again, there's nothing about treating minorities and gender-identified people like real people – and that's what really bothers the anti-DEI lot .

It's disappointing to see Pilestedt sit on the fence here, even if his comments are interpreted as simply meaning the game isn't going to pull any punches. – news and key issues of importance today for direct promotion – which seems to be the most diplomatic way. you could read them.

Are you afraid that one of your games might have something really diverse or inclusive? If so, please take a long, hard look in the mirror, and maybe consider how other people feel for once in your life.