Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 is out next week, and the developer has confirmed microtransactions. However, it’s also adopting different take on Battle Passes and premium currency with Warbonds. Deputy game director Sagar Beroshi calls them a “unique type of live service” and equivalent to “getting a treasure chest full of toys.”
Warbonds provides “multiple pages of unlockable content”, and there are Premium versions to unlock with Super Credits. These are purchased with real money but can also be earned in-game by “exploring points of interest” in missions. The first Warbond, Helldivers Mobilize, will be free for all players, while Steeled Veterans is a Premium Warbond (included in the Super Citizen Edition).
Upon receiving a Warbond, Medals earned from missions, Operations, completing objectives and exploration are used to unlock new items. Unlike a typical Battle Pass, Warbonds won’t go away. “This is important to us: the Warbonds are NOT a pay-to-win, FOMO-driven system. Instead, the gear in the Warbonds just keeps accumulating. We will not retire earlier Warbonds as new ones are released – you can pick them up and complete them at any time!”
Of course, there’s also the Superstore, where you can spend Super Credits on armor sets that rotate regularly. Helldivers 2 launches on February 8th for PS5 and PC. Head here for more details on the gameplay and what to expect.