Helldivers 2 Director Takes Sabbatical After 11 Years, Plans Next Arrowhead Game

Johan Pilestedt steps back from the franchise to focus on personal well-being and teases future projects.

Johan Pilestedt, creative director of Helldivers 2, announced a sabbatical after 11 years of continuous work on the franchise.
Pilestedt cited the need to prioritize family, friends, and personal health after years of intensive development on the Helldivers series.
Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani reassured fans that Pilestedt will remain involved in a high-level creative capacity and that Helldivers 2 will continue to receive support.
Jorjani emphasized that the game's future depends on player engagement and financial viability, with plans to maintain support as long as possible, potentially up to 10 years.
Upon returning, Pilestedt will begin work on a new Arrowhead game, sparking speculation about whether it will be a new IP or a continuation of the Helldivers universe.