2024 has become a battlefield, not just in-game but also in the digital queues for highly anticipated multiplayer titles. Gamers have been eagerly diving into a plethora of new releases, from survival crafting to superhero action, many of which are online-only experiences. This rush of exciting games, however, has been accompanied by a less thrilling side effect: widespread server instability and frustratingly long wait times. Among these titles, Helldivers 2 stands out, not only for its explosive co-op action but also for its persistent server woes that have plagued players since launch. If you’re struggling to join the fight for Super Earth, you’re far from alone. Let’s delve into the Helldivers 2 server issues and explore why this game, despite its overwhelming popularity, is facing such turbulent online conditions.
Initially, Helldivers 2 was hit hard right out of the gate. Matchmaking, the very backbone of this squad-based shooter, simply refused to cooperate for both PC and PS5 players. For a game designed around cooperative missions, this was more than a minor hiccup; it was a near game-breaking obstacle. While the initial matchmaking failures were addressed, the sheer, unexpected magnitude of Helldivers 2‘s success threw another wrench into the works. The game’s popularity surged beyond expectations, placing an immense burden on the servers. By the second weekend post-launch, finding a match through the game’s systems was nearly impossible for solo players or those without pre-made squads. The Helldivers 2 server issues extended beyond just matchmaking.
To manage the overwhelming influx of players and prevent complete server meltdowns, Arrowhead Game Studios, the developers behind Helldivers 2, made the difficult decision to implement a player cap. Initially set at 450,000 concurrent players, this measure was intended to stabilize the game environment. However, with over 400,000 players on PC alone frequently trying to access the game, queues became an unavoidable reality. While necessary for stability, these queues added another layer of frustration for players eager to spread managed democracy.
Arrowhead’s response to these ongoing Helldivers 2 server issues has been commendable in its speed and transparency. They have consistently communicated with the player base and worked tirelessly to address the problems. Recognizing the scale of the challenge, Sony, the publisher, even stepped in to provide additional engineering support. The core issue is clear: Helldivers 2 was simply too successful, too quickly. Arrowhead was caught off guard by the massive wave of players eager to eradicate bugs and automatons. Even with subsequent increases to the player cap, reaching 700,000, Arrowhead has openly stated that players should still anticipate queues during peak hours. The Helldivers 2 server issues, therefore, are a direct consequence of the game’s incredible, almost unprecedented, popularity.
Problems with online game launches, particularly server stability, are not unique to Helldivers 2. While stress tests and beta periods are common practices to anticipate launch day demand, they don’t always guarantee a smooth experience. Last Epoch, an action RPG that officially launched after a lengthy early access period, serves as a prime example. Despite years of development and presumably some level of server testing during early access, Last Epoch‘s launch was marred by server instability, echoing the Helldivers 2 server issues in some ways.
The Waiting Game Continues
Last Epoch
Players attempting to jump into Last Epoch at launch faced extended loading screens and persistent connectivity problems. Even after managing to log in, transitioning between zones or completing simple actions like portaling back to town could be met with indefinite loading times or server errors. In some instances, servers were simply down entirely, leaving players locked out of the game. While Last Epoch offers an offline mode, progress is not shared between online and offline characters, making it a less than ideal solution for players who had invested time in online characters. These Last Epoch server issues highlighted that even with extensive preparation, online game launches can be unpredictable.
Judd Cobler, the game director of Last Epoch, openly acknowledged the launch day server struggles, admitting that his “optimistic launch expectations aged like milk.” The game saw a massive influx of 150,000 players within the first 20 minutes of launch, immediately pushing server infrastructure to its limits. Cobler explained that a critical service failed in an unexpected way, prompting the development team to urgently investigate and implement fixes. The Last Epoch server issues, while eventually addressed, demonstrate the inherent challenges in predicting and accommodating launch day player numbers.
Nightingale, another early access survival game, also experienced launch turbulence related to server capacity. While Nightingale can be played solo, it still requires an online connection. Players reported issues ranging from high ping, especially for those geographically distant from game servers, to being stuck in queues waiting to access the game world. While some players, including the author of the original article, managed to avoid the worst of these Nightingale server issues, reports of stuttering and lag even in solo play indicated underlying server strain.
Even Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a high-profile release from Rocksteady Studios, wasn’t immune to server-related launch problems. The game’s early access period was notably disrupted when servers were taken offline to address a critical bug. Following the game’s full launch, players continued to encounter login and server issues despite patches aimed at resolving these problems. Rocksteady has stated that addressing these Suicide Squad server issues is a top priority, but acknowledged that the problems are complex and multifaceted, requiring ongoing effort to resolve.
Palworld, the viral survival crafting sensation, also navigated its own set of server challenges. A post-launch patch deployment led to connection difficulties for some players. Furthermore, reports emerged of players being unable to connect to official servers due to cheating and “fraudulent activities.” Palworld’s developers have attributed some of the Palworld server issues to these external factors and are actively working on implementing anti-cheat measures. Notably, Palworld offers an offline mode, providing a fallback for players experiencing online difficulties, a feature increasingly appreciated in the current gaming landscape.
Smooth Launches: The Exception, Not the Rule?
Skull and Bones
Amidst the sea of server woes, Skull and Bones appears to be a rare exception. Despite its online requirement, reports suggest a relatively smooth launch. While some players encountered errors, many of these seem to be related to local issues such as outdated game versions, GPU driver problems, or firewall configurations, rather than widespread Skull and Bones server issues. This relative stability stands in stark contrast to many of its contemporaries, although ironically, the original article author expresses less personal interest in returning to Skull and Bones compared to the games plagued by server problems.
Enshrouded is another title that has largely avoided major server disasters. Its early access launch benefited from the availability of an offline mode from day one, as well as options for players to host local games or rent dedicated servers. While Enshrouded has experienced some teething problems during early access, including reports of server instability when handling larger numbers of players on dedicated servers, these issues haven’t rendered the game unplayable for most. The availability of offline play and player-hosted server options provides a degree of resilience against widespread Enshrouded server issues.
The prevalence of server problems across numerous recent game launches has sparked considerable discussion within the gaming community about player expectations and appropriate responses to these issues, particularly for games still in early access or navigating post-launch stabilization. A common reaction to server instability is a surge in negative player reviews. Helldivers 2, despite its positive core gameplay, saw its Steam user review rating dip to “Mixed” due to the persistent Helldivers 2 server issues, even though many negative reviews acknowledged the game’s quality when playable. Last Epoch experienced a similar trend, with initial positive reviews being tempered by complaints about server problems.
An adventurer in Keen Games
While some attribute negative reviews in these situations to “review bombing,” the original article argues against this characterization. If players are unable to access a game they purchased due to server problems, negative reviews are considered valid feedback. Steam reviews are intended to inform potential buyers about the current state of a game, and widespread server issues are undoubtedly a crucial factor for prospective players to consider.
Negative reviews, in this context, serve as valuable feedback for developers. Nightingale‘s decision to prioritize and develop an offline mode is a direct result of player criticism regarding its online-only requirement. Inflexion Games explicitly stated that they “misjudged what some of you were looking for in your experience” and are now addressing this feedback by implementing offline play.
Helldivers 2
Ultimately, the ongoing server struggles in multiplayer and live service games have created a frustrating experience for players. The author of the original article expresses a growing temptation to retreat to their library of offline single-player games, seeking respite from the online chaos. However, the allure of Helldivers 2‘s galactic war, Last Epoch‘s character builds, and even Nightingale‘s quirky world proves too strong to resist. Despite the Helldivers 2 server issues and similar problems in other games, the draw of these engaging multiplayer experiences persists, leaving players in a cycle of anticipation, frustration, and ultimately, continued engagement.
