Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Games Studios has rolled out a new patch to address a range of matchmaking, performance, and stability issues affecting the popular co-operative shooter.
"Recruits, help is on the way!" wrote the developer in a Twitter/X post announcing the patch. "We have issued a patch to PC and PS5 players to address general stability (crashes) and stuttering, Defend Events, and matchmaking."
Patch 01.000.006 brings a number of fixes for cutscene-related crashes, including one that was known to occur during extraction at the very end of a mission. Other crashes linked to text-to-speech functionality and menu elements have also been addressed.
Arrowhead has also worked to improve Helldivers 2’s ‘backend connectivity’, which will hopefully make for a more seamless matchmaking experience and reduce the risk of disconnecting during missions.
Helldivers 2 update 01.000.006 patch notes are below:
Overview
- For this patch, we have focused on the following areas:
- Improved general game stability
- Prepared build for upcoming server matchmaking improvements.
- Resolving connectivity and disconnect issues.
Fixes
- Fixed crash when application was closed shortly after start
- Game no longer crashes during extraction cutscene.
- User profile with too many friends no longer causes crash.
- Fixed crash when using text-to-speech during extraction cutscene
- Game no longer crashes when users disconnect during the joining cutscene.
- Operation Status in Mission Summary no longer causes crash.
- Fixed crashes caused by leftover visual effects from disconnected players.
- Game no longer crashes when using ADS.
- Repaired instability in game data packing that caused increased patch sizes.
- Improved backend connectivity, reduces likelihood of disconnecting in missions.
- Improved matchmaking experience and likelihood of success.
The February 8 launch of Helldivers 2 saw over 360,000 players concurrently attempt to login and join the effort to spread managed democracy by calling down all manner of overpowered weapons on the bug-like Termanid hordes and robotic Automaton armies. This wave of enthusiasm stressed the game’s online infrastructure, leaving many players frustrated with progression issues, and others struggling to login at all.
Arrowhead has since deployed a number of “rapid fixes” to remedy the most prevalent issues, though one such update had to be partially rolled back after players reported a degredation in performance on PC. The developers have since apologised to affected customers, and promised to hold an ‘increased reward event’ to compensate the community for any lost progression.
Technical issues aside, Helldivers 2 is a hit with players, with many lauding the game's dynamic enemy encounters, and generally being goodwilled when it comes to the inevitable friendly fire events that come hand in hand with high explosive orbital bombardments. Some members of the community are even working to establish rules of etiquette that players can adhere to in order to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time, and no-one finds themselves on the wrong end of a descending Hellpod.
Earlier today Helldivers 2 hit another engagement milestone, as over 200,000 players consecutively logged in to play on PC. Helldivers 2 is Sony's biggest game ever on PC, beating the likes of God of War.
If you’re thinking about donning the Helldivers cape and joining the fight, then be sure to check out IGN’s Helldivers 2 review in progress, and to avail yourselves of our guides on how to defeat some of the apex lifeforms terrorising democracy.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
