Helldivers 2? Oh, it’s practically a Starship Troopers game, minus the official title. The bug-blasting sequel’s got everyone buzzing, skyrocketing the classic 1997 action film’s viewership numbers. Why, you ask? Well, it seems gamers are hunting for something to binge while they queue up on those jam-packed servers.
So, there’s this online TV ratings tracker, Television Stats, right? According to them (and a nod from Eurogamer), interest in Starship Troopers shot up around February 18. And guess what? It’s been climbing ever since. As of now, it’s sitting pretty as the 25th most popular film online. Pretty wild, huh?
Johan Pilestedt, the game director, had only a few words on this Starship Troopers frenzy. But let’s not forget, Helldivers 2 isn’t just about blasting bugs. It’s got a pinch of Warhammer 40K vibes too. The Helldivers? They’re a tad too enthusiastic about spreading democracy. Yet, at its heart, Starship Troopers remains the muse.
Enter Yuri Lowenthal. You might know him as Peter Parker from Insomniac’s Spider-Man. He’s one of the voices behind the Helldivers and, oh boy, was he inspired by Starship Troopers. “Got the green light to say I’m in Helldivers 2,” he tweeted. “And yeah, Starship Troopers was a HUGE inspiration for my performance.”
Meanwhile, back at Arrowhead, the developers are in overdrive. Post-launch week madness on PC and PS5 has them boosting server capacity and on the lookout for more hands on deck. They’re not playing around.
And the cherry on top? “Helldivers 2 is just a really good time,” says Jordan Ramée in GameSpot’s review. He’s hooked, claiming it’s the best shooter fun he’s had in years. And honestly? I’m sold too.
