Helldivers 2 is a tactical, squad-based shooter, every piece of equipment counts, it’s growing massively that even listed as one of our top 15 PC games this 2024. Helldivers 2 continues to draw significant attention, with an impressive count of over 200k players online in the last hour and a monthly active user base of 1,8 Million.
For this massive player count, users will start talking and this one it’s not just about functionality—appearance matters too.
This has spurred ongoing discussions in the gaming community about the potential for a transmogrification (transmog) system, which would allow players to change the appearance of their armor while retaining its original stats and benefits.
A Player Feature Request and Developer Response
A recent feature request shared by a player on Twitter suggested implementing a transmog system to allow more aesthetic freedom without sacrificing the strategic choice of equipment.
We are not doing transmog. It doesn't make sense – equipment looks different because it has different effects. Swapping one for the other is like having an apple that tastes like bacon or the other way around.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) April 12, 2024
However, Arrowhead’s CEO Johan Pilestedt responded negatively, emphasizing that the game’s design philosophy requires equipment to visually represent its functional differences.
Saying “Swapping one for the other is like having an apple that tastes like bacon“.
Despite the CEO’s stance, many players argue that the visual distinctions between armors are subtle enough that they don’t effectively communicate differences in gameplay. This sentiment highlights a gap between the game’s design intentions and player experiences.
Players are calling for at least some level of customization, such as altering color schemes, which could satisfy the desire for personalization without compromising the game’s strategic depth.
What is Transmogrification?
But what is Transmogrification in gaming anyways? To put is simply it allows players to replace the appearance of their gear with other items, effectively separating the visual aspect of gear from its functional properties, just like on games such as Destiny 2, Diablo III, Guild Wars 2, and Path of Exile. This feature is popular in many games as it supports individual expression in multiplayer environments.
Advocates argue that transmog systems enhance the gaming experience by marrying functionality with style, giving players the best of both worlds.
The Bigger Picture
Implementing a transmog system in Helldivers 2 could potentially increase player retention by giving them more control over their experience. As seen in other games, customization options are a significant draw for the community, encouraging continuous engagement through personal investment in character development.
Although Pilestedt’s concerns about maintaining a clear link between appearance and functionality are valid, there could be middle ground solutions that respect both the game’s design philosophy and the players’ desires for customization.
Future Prospects
While the current decision is to avoid a full transmog system, the dialogue between Arrowhead’s developers and the Helldivers 2 community is ongoing. The possibility remains that future updates could include limited aesthetic options, especially if player feedback continues to emphasize this demand.
For now, Helldivers 2 players will need to navigate the battlefield in their functional but fixed gear, perhaps holding out hope for future updates that might bring a new look to their favorite armors.
