After the resounding success of Helldivers 2 and a recent management shakeup, Arrowhead, the acclaimed game developer, has expressed its ambitious goal to become the next major player in the gaming industry, joining the ranks of Blizzard and FromSoftware. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Arrowhead's Chief Creative Officer, Johan Pilestedt, and new CEO, Shams Jorjani, emphasized their commitment to maintaining the studio's independence while striving towards realizing their vision.

Pilestedt underlined the company's determination to reach new heights, stating, "We pride ourselves on being an independent studio... I want to see how high we can fly." Jorjani echoed this sentiment, expressing the desire for Arrowhead to become a flagship studio where game developers aspire to work, much like their own aspiration with Blizzard.

Following the remarkable sales achievement of Helldivers 2, which recorded a staggering 12 million copies sold in just 12 weeks and became the fastest-selling PlayStation game of all time, Arrowhead is expected to grow in size. However, both Pilestedt and Jorjani affirmed a commitment to measured growth rather than pursuing rapid expansion. They emphasized that the studio's primary focus remains creating exceptional cooperative games rather than pursuing monetary gain or going public.

The success of Helldivers 2 has not come without its challenges, however. Arrowhead acknowledged the surge in toxicity that accompanied the game's popularity and affirmed their dedication to addressing these issues. Despite their commitment to delivering additional content through live service updates, they recognized the need for more time to ensure the quality and stability of patches in order to combat toxicity effectively.

As Arrowhead embarks on its mission to emulate the triumphs of industry giants such as Blizzard and FromSoftware, their dedication to independence, measured growth, and delivering high-quality cooperative gaming experiences is set to shape their future trajectory. The unprecedented success of Helldivers 2 has not only solidified their position in the industry but has also provided a strong foundation upon which to build their ambitious vision.