The boss of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has denied a recent rumour that Sony is buying the studio.
While Helldivers 2 is published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Swedish studio Arrowhead remains an independent company. But following Helldivers 2’s explosive success across PlayStation 5 and PC, rumors have emerged that Sony has made a move to acquire Arrowhead.
Responding to a tweet from an account that reposted the rumour and even created a Sony ‘welcome to the family’ image to boost the post, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt said: “This is fake… Unless I’ve missed something. Also, a really sh***y old logo from 2008 or so when we just started the studio.”
This is the first I hear of this… And that’s a good indication that it’s fake.
Also, very old logo.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) March 6, 2024 Pilestedt responded to another tweet that posted the same image alongside a message hoping for the acquisition. “This is the first I hear of this,” Pilestedt said. “And that’s a good indication that it’s fake. Also, very old logo.”
Pilestedt had previously replied to a tweet to clarify that Helldivers 2 was not developed by a Sony-owned studio, saying: “We are not owned. We are independently owned!” Then: “I mean… We are owned, but only by the founders (including me) of the studio.”
I mean… We are owned, but only by the founders (including me) of the studio.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) March 4, 2024 Last month, Sony announced a significant round of layoffs affecting around 900 staff, or about 8% of its global PlayStation workforce. The layoffs affect a number of PlayStation studios, including Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, Firesprite, and, most significantly, PlayStation’s London studio, which is closing entirely. Alongside the layoffs, a number of in-development games were canceled, including a Twisted Metal live-service game.
Arrowhead was founded in 2008 by a group of students who went on to release Magicka, The Showdown Effect, and Gauntlet. The first Helldivers game launched in 2015, published by Sony for PlayStation platforms and PC. Helldivers 2, however, is Arrowhead’s biggest game to date, and Sony’s biggest ever PC game launch.
There’s a lot happening in the world of Helldivers 2, including a recent new strategy that involves hugging and the game’s first balance patch. The galactic war continues, of course, as players await the arrival of mechs. This week, IGN reported on how Helldivers 2 has become one of the surprise hits of 2024 since launching in February, topping the charts on Steam and reportedly selling around three million copies. According to at least one analyst, it’s still growing. Check out IGN’s Helldivers 2 review to find out why it’s going down so well, as well as the best loadouts.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
Marlon Douglas
I can’t believe there were rumors of Sony acquiring Arrowhead! That would have been a major shake-up in the gaming industry. Helldivers 2 has definitely been a hit, and I’m excited to see where Arrowhead takes it next. What do you think about the game’s success and the potential acquisition by Sony?
VelocityRacer95
Marlon Douglas, I agree that the potential Sony acquisition of Arrowhead would have caused quite a buzz in the gaming world. Helldivers 2 has been a hit since its release, and it’s great to hear that Arrowhead’s CEO has debunked the rumors. It will be intriguing to see the game’s future direction and how they will further capitalize on its success. The gaming community is clearly loving Helldivers 2, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
CyberVanguard
@Marlon Douglas, I totally agree! The success of Helldivers 2 is awesome to see, and it’s amazing how independent studios like Arrowhead are making a mark in the industry. I can’t wait to see what they have planned for the game’s future, especially with the new updates and patches. Here’s to hoping they keep flourishing on their own terms!