UK Sales Charts: Helldivers 2 Refuses to Budge Among Heavy Hitting Competition

Hogwarts Legacy still selling like hotcakes despite the boycott and the fact that we all want live service games and not single player games these days.

Well deserved, sky is really the limit with this one

It's really quite fascinating to consider why Helldivers 2 is doing so well in comparison to other live-service games. While I'm massively enjoying it and have no intentions of stopping playing any time soon, if I take a step back it can look rather repetitive. Having your grind contribute, even in a tiny way, to the overall meta-narrative, definitely helps.

There's a very interesting GDC talk to be made in comparing different live-service games and trying to discern why some succeed and others hit the skids.

Jesus.. Mario kart 8 just keeps on selling XD

@Enigk the boycott was from a small minority of people who think they had more power then they actually did.

Great game, it's a lot of fun. Can't wait to see the new enemy factions they' add in the future.

@StrickenBiged definitely agree. I’ve platinumed it and still want to keep playing. I love the war backdrop and the in game store isn’t as intrusive in other games of this nature.

I think they just got the balance right. Fun game, good price, simple game play loop, action si-fi violence and the right amount of straight faced humour.

I like that medals are used to unlock the main battle pass not the super credits and you can earn the super credits in game and also at each tier through the pass. Also helps that if you did want to pay to unlock a premium battle pass the credits don’t cost a fortune.

It’s cool that the samples also unlock items and you can find them in the maps. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun with an online game.

@StrickenBiged Helps that its insanely fun and that matches can have great unscripted moments in how things go. Live services tend to focus on greed first, roadmap 2nd and fun engaging gameplay 3rd but Helldivers 2 ditches the first two and just focuses on fun gameplay only with monetization basically being cheap optional armour bits and battle passes that can be earned in game without spending real money and don't expire.

@LordFunkalot Yeah its weird seeing MTX that are actually micro and not £20 for a gun skin.

@DennisReynolds I’m in my 40s and hate MTX and live service style games with a passion or so I thought. I’m also not one to make in game purchases and never really have done unless it’s for extra content (levels/story content etc)

But like you say they are low cost and don’t seem aggressive. I also feel like the games being supported really well, at least so far.

Hopefully it continues and they don’t change tact

Rebirth is a bit of a flop, huh?

Congrats on Helldivers! I haven't played it yet, but everyone seems to be enjoying it!

@StrickenBiged For the most part, I think it comes down to who exactly is making the game. Live service games like Helldivers are built by passionate devs who focus on creating a great game first and then add sensible, affordable monetisation after. Failed live service games are often, but not always, built by a boardroom of executives, managers and marketing people, who prioritise monetisation and chasing fads over creating a great game.

I played Hogwarts Legacy after it had so much hype. Personally don't understand why it's so loved but I suppose this is great for people who want to see a sequel.

Hogwarts is gonna sell 30+ million units when all is said and done. It'll be interesting to see how the TV series performs. Could give this IP the largest boost its seen in decades.

@Enigk simply because it’s a good game that real gamers want 🥰

@LordFunkalot @DennisReynolds I don't like mtx's or loot boxes and I don't purchase them however this game is so damn good and launched at a very reasonable price that I purchased the cutting edge pack (with real money) to show my gratitude to arrowhead for providing me with some much needed laughter and introducing me to new friends some of who frequent these very comment sections. I can't recommend this game enough.

@AdamNovice It just that ranking wise it looks worse than the first one. But you're definitely right that Digital may factor in a lot.

@Pat_trick it is also a sequel RPG that is rightfully not being advertised as a stand-alone experience (you need to have played Remake to understand what is going on at all, unlike the BioWare games, where little prior knowledge of the game was expected). From the start its player base was going to mostly (though not only) be people who played Remake, enjoyed it, and own a PS5.

@Northern_munkey Lol my mate and I did exactly the same thing. We each bought the cutting edge pack too. The developer deserves it.

@Northern_munkey I bought the Deluxe version and have yet to spend any more but i may buy the new battle pass instead of saving for it as its really cheap and i don't feel forced into buying it.

@AdamNovice Also FF has never really been 20M sales type of series. Rebirth will do well over time especially once its on PC.

@DennisReynolds I really don't like the whole mtx shenanigans but I'm also well aware it's a personal choice as to whether or not you purchase them. If a games this good and the mtx's don't appear to be items that are obviously,deliberately locked out initially then I'll support the devs and purchase..its the least I can do but you won't ever catch me paying for things in any ubisoft game etc. I bought the warzone pass because you can earn enough credits to purchase the next pass so the outlay was minimal really. Would I buy the season pass for diablo 4 even though its one of my fave games? Hell no because you will never earn enough game credits to purchase the next season pass. I feel arrowhead have found that rare perfect balance between warranting extra expenditure to ensure the life of the game whilst providing excellent support and extra content for free.

Hopefully we will start seeing more trophies added to Helldivers 2 like the first game.

I still have to pick up Rebirth. But I'm too busy with being sucked into VR again to play anything else at the moment... I'll probably end up playing it once it decided to drop on PC (Steam, not Epic).

I really hope FF7 Rebirth gets the sales numbers it deserves. It really is a fantastic game.

Rebirth having that deal where you could get Remake free if you pre-ordered definitely could've skewed sales towards digital. I wonder if that's the case.

@ArcadeHeroes Mario Kart 8 was (maybe still is?) onsale last week, which is a rare occurrence.

Just finished Rebirth last night and the game was phenomenal. Are there flaws? Yes. Is the story a bit convoluted at times? Yes. Are there too many mini-games thrust into the main story? Yes. But the world and its characters are just damn beautiful. The music is incredible. That Stamp remix song is addicting af. Cannot wait for the 3rd game. Give it to me now 😭😭😭

There are so many 100+ hour epics right now that I’m sure FF7 Rebirth will have lasting power. It’s hard to keep up with all the releases ATM 😂😂 best start to a year of gaming in years IMO