Arrowhead Game Studios has acknowledged player frustrations over massive 150GB PC install size of Helldivers 2, calling it “unacceptably large” and confirming that the team is working on ways to reduce it in future updates.

A Problem of Scale

While the game’s storage requirements have long been a talking point, the PC version has now grown to one of the largest installs among modern shooters — even surpassing Call of Duty. Game director Mikael Eriksson explained that the issue largely stems from compatibility concerns. The PC version was designed to work smoothly on both solid-state drives (SSDs) and traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), but that flexibility comes at a cost.

To keep load times reasonable for HDD users, certain assets are duplicated, which significantly increases the total install size. Eriksson admitted that the result is “unacceptably large right now,” but added that there are “real options here to do quite big improvements in just reducing PC install size,” suggesting that a major reduction could be possible in the future.

Potential Fixes on the Horizon

To tackle the issue, Arrowhead Game Studios’ technical team is exploring the idea of releasing separate versions of the game optimized for different storage types. Eriksson mentioned that creating distinct builds for SSD and HDD players could potentially “slice the size in half,” though he cautioned fans to take the estimate “with a pinch of salt” until the team finalizes its approach. Even so, he reassured players that reducing storage demands is a top priority moving forward.

Player Frustration Mounts

The install size problem has been present since launch, but multiple updates have gradually made it worse. On Steam, Helldivers 2 now exceeds 150GB, sparking complaints from players struggling with limited SSD space. Many fans have pointed out that the file size not only makes downloading cumbersome but also discourages those with smaller drives from keeping the game installed.

Eriksson acknowledged these frustrations, emphasizing that the current setup was meant to balance faster loading and smoother performance across different hardware configurations — but admitted that “it’s a little bit on the side of unacceptably large right now.”

Looking Ahead

Arrowhead Game Studios has shown a consistent willingness to respond to community feedback, rolling out patches for optimization and bug fixes over the past months. The promise to address file size next fits that same pattern of responsiveness.

Eriksson noted that the studio is “looking into it” and that players can expect more updates once the team determines a concrete solution. For now, the goal is to make Helldivers 2 more accessible to all PC players — ideally without forcing anyone to clear half their drive just to join the fight.