Comments about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) made by the CCO of Helldivers 2 dev have caused quite a stir. Johan Pilestedt of Arrowhead Game Studios was responding to a fan on X when he made the statement in question, which rubbed some players the wrong way.
What Helldivers 2 dev Johan Pilestedt had to say about DEI
When a fan suggested that Arrowhead should “never” support DEI, Pilestedt opined that anything that “doesn’t add to the game experience” should be left out of games. “If it doesnt add to the game experience, it detracts,” Pilestedt tweeted. “And games should be a pure pursuit of amazing moments.”
In a follow-up tweet, Pilestedt was asked how DEI could benefit Helldivers 2, to which he said:
While many thought Pilestedt’s statement made sense because “forced diversity” isn’t a positive addition to games, some viewed his comments as deliberately provocative, and anti DEI. Others think Pilestedt was better off not responding to the initial tweet.
“Being cognizant and inclusive is a positive, and only adds [to a game],” wrote one player. “I would like to be charitable but dude could have just said nothing,” wrote another. “I don’t think he’s saying it never adds to the game experience, just that it does when it’s forced,” said a third.
Pilestedt has not offered a clarification or responded to any further comments about DEI.
