The 2024 co-op shooter, which has developed a loyal following since its release, requires over 150 GB of storage on PC, and Arrowhead has explained that the game’s ambitious visual design and technical infrastructure come at a cost.
In an update posted to Steam, Arrowhead wrote: “We’re taking your concerns very seriously, but there are no easy solutions.”
The developers noted that the game’s high-quality assets - including large, uncompressed textures and detailed environments - are a major factor in the ballooning file size.
Arrowhead also revealed that the installation footprint is tied to its streaming technology.
The game’s planets are procedurally generated, meaning that textures, geometry, and effects need to be preloaded to avoid performance issues during missions.
Compressing these assets more aggressively, the studio said, could lead to longer load times, more frequent stuttering, or reduced image quality.
While Arrowhead is actively exploring optimisations, the team has to balance file size with the game’s core promise of large-scale battles and smooth, cinematic performance.
Options under review include smarter asset compression, modular downloads, and selective texture packs, though none are expected in the near term.
Despite frustrations, many players have praised the developers’ transparency.
The studio reassured fans that community feedback is shaping its priorities.
Arrowhead said: “We’ll keep investigating ways to reduce the footprint without compromising what makes Helldivers 2 unique.”
For now, Arrowhead is recommending players install the game on SSD storage to ensure stable performance - but acknowledged that the title’s size remains a barrier for those with limited space.