Hellraiser 2's director says it “makes good games, not makes contemporary political statements.” Players massacre infected citizens for leaders they fear “anti-democratic brainwashing.”

sigh. Johan Pilestedt, CCO and long-time figurehead of Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead, tweeted that his philosophy is to “make great games, not make contemporary political statements.” You know, that's a bit of an odd thing to say when a whole bunch of games, like Helldivers 2 , clearly manage to be effortlessly good and explore inherently political themes.

Pileste said this while talking to fans about politics and “DEI” – the latter of which is diversity and inclusion stuff, and internet idiots think fight club is just a fight club, not that there's any subtext, Think this will ruin everything these days – in gaming. As you can imagine, they make smart points.

The clue started off well, with Pilestedt simply ending 2024 by asking what people's “expectations and desires” are for Arrowhead's next game. Of course, since the site was formerly known as Twitter dot com, one user responded: “Never add DEI to your game.”

“If it doesn't add to the experience, it detracts from it. Games should be about pure wow moments,” Pilestedt responded to this person. “What benefits will DEI bring to Helldiver 2?” another user then asked the developer.

“I don’t like labels. But humanity is united in extreme xenophobia on Super Earth,” Pilestedt’s reply read, “#Inclusion So maybe that’s DEI? I really don’t care. Make good games and don’t publish A contemporary political statement.”

knew. Just good game, nothing resembling a contemporary political statement or opinion. Out of interest, let's take a look at the new players in Major Order Helldivers 2 who have just joined the fight against the light.

“The Light Ones were forced to pay a heavy price for their ruthless campaign of terror,” it reads, “The Helldivers killed vast swaths of the bloodthirsty alien species, sending a message of what would happen if they chose to continue their aggression.

“However, the greatest casualty of 'Light' terror is the sense of security of our citizens. To restore the security of our citizens, Super Earth's governments unanimously voted to pass the 'Liberty and Preparedness for Effective Defense and Psychic Barrier-Impact Act of 2184' , or the Bill of Liberty.

“Helldivers are ordered to defend Mastia to facilitate the construction of the new center. Only in this way will our citizens feel safe.”

What is the Freedom Act about, you ask? Well, it would “create a new security force dedicated to enforcing loyalty and empower them to detect and prosecute illumination, dissent and other serious crimes”. No, there's nothing political here. Then again, there’s nothing like treating minorities and people of different gender identities like real human beings—that’s what really plagues the anti-DEI community.

It's disappointing to see Pileste sit here and do some fence-sitting, even if his comments are interpreted as simply meaning the game won't draw on any of today's important headlines and key issues for direct inspiration – which seems most diplomatic way you can read them.

Are you worried that one of your games might have some vague idea of ​​diversity or inclusion? If so, take a long hard look in the mirror and maybe consider how other people feel in your life.