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[The Chairman]

The United Nations asked Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead if it'd give a talk on psychological manipulation: ‘Could we brainwash an entire community to fight for a fascist state? … Would we be okay with that? Turns out, yeah’

Players’ eagerness in the fight for Super Earth begs the question: are we the baddies?

www.pcgamer.com

So the The United Nations approached Arrowhead to discuss psychological manipulation, questioning if the studio could brainwash a community to support a fascist state, and Helldivers 2 creators said : ‘We Asked Ourselves — Would We Be Okay With That? Turns Out, We Are.’

This statement made a lot of people angry because they felt that they were part of psychological-manipulation tests without their consent so they review bombed the game lol

 

[Clear]

Look, as Nier demonstrated 15 fucking years ago. You don't need to be a psycho to commit genocide, you just need to believe you're right.

 

[Zacfoldor]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

 

[Wandering Leopard]

Not farfetched, people who spend a lot of time on social media are already being manipulated.

 

[bender]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

Co-op modes elevate almost any game and the core mechanics in H2 are rock solid on their own. The weapon variety and physics give players a diverse sandbox that provides moments of hilarity and joy. If you have a group of friends that game together regularly, I can see this as a go to game. The war bounds are also a nice, not-overly-intrusive carrot. The rote enemy progression got to me pretty quickly after clearing the hardest difficulty level a few times, I fell off as none of my gaming buddies wanted to play it. I also didn't care for the robot enemy campaigns (and not for THAT reason) and much preferred the insects (I didn't play long enough to see the additional faction(s)).

 

[March Climber]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

Destiny 2 is an RPG.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

It's no different than any PvP multiplayer game where you queue into matches and a bar increases to unlock more cosmetics. I don't understand your confusion. Is it the fact that it's PvE?

 

[Loomy]

Did they not know that they were role playing? lmao

 

[GHG]

Arrowhead looking at this behaviour:

 

[Doczu]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

It's not the gameplay, it's the community and worldbuilding/larping.

And it's a blast if you literally larp as a squad of super human supremacists.

And on topic: could the dev/UN do the same to check how libtards, vegans, Last Generation and other retards are brainwashed or is this a no-no topic cause it doesn't fit the narrative?

 

[tTHANOSs]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

Who said you have to love the game? Just drop in with a few friends kill bunch of big bugs and terminators with big explosions.

 

[SHAKEZ]

Yeah man, could we brainwash players to be criminals? Yeah look at GTA... Creating literal criminals since forever.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Look, as Nier demonstrated 15 fucking years ago. You don't need to be a psycho to commit genocide, you just need to believe you're right.

Something far too many people today don't realize.

 

[Mortisfacio]

It's not the gameplay, it's the community and worldbuilding/larping.

And it's a blast if you literally larp as a squad of super human supremacists.

And on topic: could the dev/UN do the same to check how libtards, vegans, Last Generation and other retards are brainwashed or is this a no-no topic cause it doesn't fit the narrative?

That's kind of the problem though, for me.

The game itself is just... OK. It's not bad, it's not great. I enjoyed my time with it because my friends would drink and trash talk in discord while we'd mindlessly kill bugs and/or each other as the intoxication got worse. My enjoyment of the game largely depends on that co-op and voice, but I can do that with any multiplayer game. I quickly realized my enjoyment wasn't really the game itself, just playing something with my friends. I haven't touched it since my friends stopped playing it, because with that removed, I don't enjoy the game.

 

[Shifty1897]

It's not the gameplay, it's the community and worldbuilding/larping.

And it's a blast if you literally larp as a squad of super human supremacists.

And on topic: could the dev/UN do the same to check how libtards, vegans, Last Generation and other retards are brainwashed or is this a no-no topic cause it doesn't fit the narrative?

Who said you have to love the game? Just drop in with a few friends kill bunch of big bugs and terminators with big explosions.

Dont feed the troll. He's either unserious, has no friends to play with, or only played on baby difficulties. Not worth your time and effort to convince it's him a good game.

 

[Perrott]

Do these clows also reviewbomb every single WWII game that literally makes you play as nazis in the multiplayer modes about half of the time?

 

[ReBurn]

Yeah man, could we brainwash players to be criminals? Yeah look at GTA... Creating literal criminals since forever.

Hi Senator Lieberman!

 

[March Climber]

That's kind of the problem though, for me.

The game itself is just... OK. It's not bad, it's not great. I enjoyed my time with it because my friends would drink and trash talk in discord while we'd mindlessly kill bugs and/or each other as the intoxication got worse. My enjoyment of the game largely depends on that co-op and voice, but I can do that with any multiplayer game. I quickly realized my enjoyment wasn't really the game itself, just playing something with my friends. I haven't touched it since my friends stopped playing it, because with that removed, I don't enjoy the game.

You're right. It's a decent 7/10 or 8/10 game that blew up into stardom. It happens sometimes

I can name another game that did the same, and it also has a very simple, same-y gameplay loop:

 

[Mortisfacio]

You're right. It's a decent 7/10 or 8/10 game that blew up into stardom. It happens sometimes

I can name another game that did the same, and it also has a very simple, same-y gameplay loop:

Lethal Company is a perfect example of how I feel with Helldivers 2. Content Warning being another, but Lethal Company has the mod community behind it as well. I've had a blast playing that with my friends. Even with my kids, lethal company has been fun, but it's hearing my son scream into the distance while my daughter it trying to drop ladders onto us. The game itself is just decent.

 

[SHAKEZ]

Hi Senator Lieberman!

You got me

 

[March Climber]

Lethal Company is a perfect example of how I feel with Helldivers 2. Content Warning being another, but Lethal Company has the mod community behind it as well. I've had a blast playing that with my friends. Even with my kids, lethal company has been fun, but it's hearing my son scream into the distance while my daughter it trying to drop ladders onto us. The game itself is just decent.

I consider games like these two the new form of arcade games. They're not meant to be traditional gaming experience with beginnings and ends or very deep RPG mechanics.

You get in, you go, and you come out of the session having a good time. It is a similar loop to dungeon running games, which is a genre I personally enjoy. When you start to want something more substantial then it's better to pick up a different game.

 

[RafterXL]

It's a video game, man, it's not that deep. No one is being brainwashed, it's just mindless fun and people play into it. The problem with most of these creators is that they don't even understand their own creations or why people like them. They completely lack the capacity to see anything except through their narrow world view, and write these characters like everone will hate their guts, just like they do. Whether it be Darth Vader or the Super Earth, these things are cool, which is why they are popular. And let's face it, it's hilarious when people like Eric Kripke or Alan Moore get their panties in a wad because people find Rorschach a cool character, or Homelander the only redeeming part of his show.

 

[Killer8]

I remember this game being pitched like a Starship Troopers parody game (if it was actually good). Considering the movie of that is a straight up satire of fascism, it's not surprising the developers of Helldivers have some thoughts about it.

I don't think they are literally saying "you're a fascist if you enjoy our game" at all. It reads more like they were approached long after the fact by the UN and just sort of agreed that "yeah, I guess people enjoying playing as them might show how easy it could be to fall into that thinking in real life".

Maybe it should prompt a bit of introspection that we should enjoy the larping as Helldivers/Clone troopers/Nazis in online shooters, but should think a bit more about where gung-ho enthusiasm for militarism leads in real life.

I don't really expect retards will grasp the subtly of that, though.

 

[Rush2112]

I thought helldivers was just a bunch of dudes shooting giant insects.

 

[fart town usa]

It doesn't even make sense, what Jonas is saying.

And to use a videogame as a real world example for brainwashing people to support "fascism", when you could point to near endless examples occurring in reality, it's just dumb and kind of surreal TBH.

 

[Loomy]

It doesn't even make sense, what Jonas is saying.

And to use a videogame as a real world example for brainwashing people to support "fascism", when you could point to near endless examples occurring in reality, it's just dumb and kind of surreal TBH.

Yeah. I think most people know they're roleplaying as genocidal nuke loving blind followers of the fascist Super Earth. Or I thought most of them knew. Then I saw those Steam reviews.

Satire truly is dead.

 

[Bert Big Balls]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

I agree. Most overhyped game in years. There just seems to be nothing to it, it's so bland. Everything about it felt barebones and half assed. I genuinely don't understand why it found so much success.

 

[Dragon_Rocks]

I thought helldivers was just a bunch of dudes shooting giant insects.

..and robots and aliens and each other at times.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

 

[Loomy]

Arrowhead thinking of the new capes they can sell from this new round of review bombing

 

[Killjoy-NL]

The game is literally symbolic for fighting a war for NATO.

Spreading democracy was kind of a dead giveaway.

 

[Lokaum D+]

Look, as Nier demonstrated 15 fucking years ago. You don't need to be a psycho to commit genocide, you just need to believe you're right.

Not even this, as long Its benefits you, you dont even need to believe you are right.

Also, to this date ppl think that Starship troopers is a cool army propaganda.

 

[Fbh]

Just seems like a weird way to put it.
No, you didn't "brainwash" people into fighting for a fascist state.

At most you've given another example of how fighting for/as the bad guys can be fun in the fictional context of a videogame.....you know like the people who dress up as Darth Vader or Stormtroopers in literally every nerdy convention.

 

[StueyDuck]

I mean isn't that the joke of HD2 (helldivers in general as well as starship troopers and 40k which this heavily derives from). Everyone pretended to be fascist because in a game about murdering bugs and robots it's funny. I mean i named my ship the Fist of Democracy because it was funny.

something tells me all those negative reviews are skinsuits.

 

[EN250]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

Gameplay is condensed MGSV (TPS action, not stealth), every mission is straight up over the top action movie about you against all odds and co-op just elevate all that to it's peak

 

[Generic]

What the hell is a "bug poster"?

 

[mckmas8808]

Look, as Nier demonstrated 15 fucking years ago. You don't need to be a psycho to commit genocide, you just need to believe you're right.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

The most fickle and snowflake of gaming communities online. Gabe am embarrassed.

Just seems like a weird way to put it.
No, you didn't "brainwash" people into fighting for a fascist state.

At most you've given another example of how fighting for/as the bad guys can be fun in the fictional context of a videogame.....you know like the people who dress up as Darth Vader or Stormtroopers in literally every nerdy convention.

Difference is most of the Steam people leaving those new negative reviews aren't roleplaying

 

[Loomy]

Also, to this date ppl think that Starship troopers is a cool army propaganda.

I was thinking about referencing that here, but I guess I'm too much of a pussy.

The funny thing with that is there is a new adaptation in the works.

It's an adaptation of the book instead of a remake of the movie, and based on how fucked up and just plain dumb the world is right now, people are going to lose their shit.

 

[Icymanipulator]

I tried to love this game. I don't. The gameplay loop is just so much fucking nothing that I can't stand it. It's nothing. Why do games like this go viral? It tells me that there are large groups of gamers that I don't fit in with. After it got so big I bought it and played it and comparing it to a game like Destiny 2....well it doesn't come away favorably in any way from even that.

I think there is something else about the game I don't get. Maybe this brainwashing thing is it. Yall mofos get brainwashed into liking this game or what? Like, where is the content? You queue for maps buy the minimal stuff from your ship and ?????

?????
?????

????

It’s the one of my favorite pick up and play games. When I feel like I want to shoot something, this game scratches that itch.

Not every game needs to be some super involved experience that requires you to fine tune a build before you can even play.

Bugs bad, go kill. Freedom good.

The only thing weird here is your inability to understand and your obvious anger issues lmfao. Why so mad?
Pretty sure this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you make a post like this either. You really got a chip on your shoulder about arcade style pick up and play games, eh?

 

[Vlodril]

How can you play the game for more then a few minutes and not realise that super earth is fascistic? I don't know how they could have made it more obvious.

 

[EN250]

Not even this, as long Its benefits you, you dont even need to believe you are right.

Also, to this date ppl think that Starship troopers is a cool army propaganda.

Starship Troopers is cool af, I get it, it wasn't meant for that, but people like the simple trope of good vs evil and are wired to relate to their peers being the good ones

Same way you can find a lot of in-game clues of how the automatons are/were in reality oppressed by the humans, but the community dgaf about it and keep crushing them

 

[Zannegan]

Not even this, as long Its benefits you, you dont even need to believe you are right.

Also, to this date ppl think that Starship troopers is a cool army propaganda.

Well, the book kind of is, even if it was intended to be the opposite.

 

[ungalo]

sounds like another big jerk off