Helldivers 2 Creative Director Rejects Woke DEI In Games

Helldivers 2 Creative Director Rejects Woke DEI In Games

I knew there was a reason Helldivers 2 is my favorite game, and sure enough, creative director Johan Pilestedt now comes out and rejects the concept of woke DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) being used in games.

The DEI nonsense has destroyed games like Suicide Squad, Dragon Age, it’s rumored to have infected GTA 6, well, there’s no place for it in the Helldivers universe.

When asking fans on X what are your expectations and desires for what the next Arrowhead game will be, one fan replied, ā€œNever add dei to your games.ā€

helldivers 2 salute

Detracts from the game experience

Pilestedt replied:

If it doesnt add to the game experience, it detracts. And games should be a pure pursuit of amazing moments.

helldivers 2 not woke dei 1

A fan then questioned, ā€œHow would DEI have benefited Helldivers 2?ā€ Pilestedt shot back:

I don’t like labels. But mankind is united in its extreme xenophobia on Super Earth. #Inclusion so, maybe that’s DEI?

I really don’t care. Make good games, don’t make a contemporary political statement.

helldivers 2 not woke dei 2
helldivers 2

We’re winning

Grummz, the former team lead for World of Warcraft, caught wind of the tweets and noted how the shill media is now forced to cover the topic, which is a good sign for the gaming industry and for fans, as that means the woke DEI garbage is being rejected:

Good Morning, we’re WINNING.

Helldivers CCO @Pilestedt says DEI detracts from a game’s experience and that political messaging does not belong in games.

But what is notable here is how legacy gaming media is actually *covering* this now.

Before this would never be discussed, it would be ignored, buried. The fact that legacy media is picking up on this means the Overton window has shifted.

We absolutely have had an effect in 2024 where anti-DEI has been heard LOUD and CLEAR by gaming execs and can no longer be IGNORED by legacy media. You did this! Gamers did this. We will continue to push against political propaganda that ruins games, we will continue to be heard.

helldivers 2 grummz

About Matt McGloin

Matt McGloin is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Cosmic Book News, the independent entertainment news site he founded in 2008. He covers movies, comics, TV, video games and pop culture and has reported major industry scoops over the years, including revealing the Avengers: Endgame title ahead of its official announcement. Through Cosmic Book News, he helped Marvel Comics promote Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova through exclusive previews, artwork, and interviews, with the site also quoted in solicitations and on comic covers. He also reported on Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again retooling before it was later confirmed by the trades.

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