Helldivers 2 Shuns Collabs with Star Wars, Aliens

Helldivers 2's creative director recently shared his dream crossovers for the game. Read on to discover more about these potential crossovers and what Johan Pilestedt had to say about the matter.

Helldivers 2 Creative Director Reveals Dream Crossovers

From Starship Troopers to Warhammer 40K

Video games have embraced crossovers, from the iconic clashes in fighting games like Tekken, featuring characters from Final Fantasy and The Walking Dead, to Fortnite's expansive lineup of guest stars. Now, Johan Pilestedt, the creative director of Helldivers 2, has added his voice to the crossover conversation, expressing his enthusiasm for collaborations with franchises such as Starship Troopers, Terminator, and Warhammer 40,000.

The idea of crossovers for Helldivers 2 began with a tweet from Pilestedt on November 2, where he praised the tabletop game Trench Crusade, calling it a "cool IP." The Trench Crusade's official account responded with a playful yet bold reply, leading Pilestedt to suggest a crossover between Helldivers 2 and Trench Crusade. The Trench Crusade team was thrilled, describing it as "the sickest thing imaginable." Pilestedt then reached out directly, hinting at "more things to discuss" and potentially setting the stage for a collaboration between these war-themed universes.

Trench Crusade, developed by concept artist Mike Franchina and former Warhammer designer Tuomas Pirinen, is a skirmish wargame set in an alternate World War I where the forces of Hell and Heaven clash in a perpetual war on Earth. This game reimagines a world marked by endless conflict, spanning from medieval times through the Great War.

However, Pilestedt soon tempered expectations, noting that "there are so many hurdles." A few days later, he clarified that these were merely "fun musings" rather than concrete plans, and shared an expanded list of his favorite franchises he'd love to see in Helldivers 2. His dream crossover list included major sci-fi titans like Alien, Starship Troopers, Terminator, Predator, Star Wars, and even Blade Runner. Yet, he emphasized that including all these could dilute the game's satirical, militaristic identity, stating, "if we were to do all of them, it would dilute the IP and make it a ‘not helldivers’ experience."

It's understandable why fans are intrigued by the prospect of crossovers. Such content has become a staple of live-service games, and Helldivers 2, with its alien battles and hyper-detailed combat, seems like a perfect candidate for collaborations with big-name franchises. Yet, Pilestedt prioritizes maintaining the game's unique tone and creative integrity.

While open to both small and large crossover elements—ranging from a single weapon to a full character skin available via Warbonds—he stressed that these are his "personal preference and joys in life," and "Nothing [is] decided yet."

Many fans appreciate Arrowhead Studios' cautious approach to crossovers, especially in an era where live-service games often flood the market with character skins, weapons, and accessories that may not fit the original setting. By holding back, Pilestedt underscores the importance of preserving Helldivers 2's cohesive universe.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to implement crossovers in Helldivers 2 lies with the developers. Discussions have surfaced about how certain franchises might seamlessly integrate into the game's satirical style, but it remains to be seen if such crossovers will come to fruition. Perhaps one day, the soldiers of Super Earth will battle Xenomorphs alongside Jango Fett or the Terminator. While it might not be the best fit, it's certainly an intriguing thought experiment.