With the latest Main Order of Helldivers 2 the players were faced with a moral dilemma: save virtual children or immediately unlock a new Stratagem? In the end altruism triumphed and Arrowhead decided to honor the community’s decision by doing so a donation to Save the Children.
As you may remember, a few days ago Super Earth gave players the opportunity to choose whether to liberate the planet Vernen Wells, where a pediatric hospital with thousands of children or Marfark in an operation that would have ensured the release of the MD-17 anti-tank mines. Obviously it was only possible to complete one of the two objectives and basically the players only had to gain by getting their hands on a new Stratagem, rather than saving virtual children with the prospect of not receiving any reward.
Propaganda on Reddit
It followed real propaganda in the Helldivers 2 subreddit, where players asked the community to join forces and free Vernen Wells. There are even those who have paid an artist to create a promotional image (you can find it below) to plead the cause.
The children of Vernen Wells will be forever grateful due to our efforts
byu/JuanTienda inHelldivers
As mentioned at the beginning, in the end the community decided to be altruistic and give up the mines. A gesture that evidently also moved Arrowhead Games Studio and in particular the creative director John Pilestedt, who announced that he had donated $4,311 (let’s assume from his own pocket) to Save the Children, one of the largest and best-known independent international organizations that works to improve the lives of children around the world.
There’s also another little reward for players, which is truly heart-warming: a drawing of one of Vernen Wells’ children thanking the brave Helldivers.
“Dear Helldivers, Thank you so much for saving us. They told us that you made many sacrifices (mines/lives) to help us. We will always be grateful to you. Now we can grow up and become Helldivers too. With Libertà, the very sick children of the supertown Anne”.
Staying on the topic, a few days ago Helldivers 2 received a substantial update, which seems to have unintentionally increased the difficulty.
