Helldivers 2 Swaps GameGuard for Easy Anti-Cheat, Mods at Risk

Arrowhead Game Studios is shifting Helldivers 2 from GameGuard to Easy Anti-Cheat. The studio has warned that this change might disrupt player-made mods, as reported by PC Gamer. In response, Steam reviewers have left a surge of negative feedback, dropping the game’s rating to 80% positive based on 826,941 reviews.

This update involves replacing the anti-cheat system in the live-service shooter published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. According to Games.gg, Helldivers 2 will completely abandon GameGuard for Easy Anti-Cheat. These anti-cheat tools usually limit what third-party software can alter within a game’s files and memory, which is why mods were the first concern highlighted by the studio.

The modding community is reacting strongly. Players have relied on mods to fix issues and enhance their experience. Many view Arrowhead’s warning as a threat to their modifications. The “mostly negative” sentiment we’ve tracked across 10 community signals on Steam reflects this trend.

The timing adds extra pressure. Previous coverage from Explosion highlighted that Helldivers 2 had fewer concurrent players compared to ARC Raiders, with 61K versus 185K, based on data from October 19. Currently, Steam shows 51,766 players in Helldivers 2. Although these figures come from different points in time, they indicate a roughly 15% drop since that earlier count.

Arrowhead is also working to keep players engaged with new content. A Warbond featuring three new rifles is set to launch on October 20. This anti-cheat issue competes for attention with that update, and the reviews players leave this week will reveal which one has a greater impact.

By The Numbers

By The Numbers

Steam review score	80% positive
Total Steam reviews	826,941
Current Steam players	51,766
Price on Steam	$39.99
Release date	February 8, 2024

Community Pulse

The sentiment is largely negative, and a common phrase appears in Steam reviews. “Imagine unironically messing with modders that fix your game,” one reviewer stated, echoing a sentiment found in multiple reviews. The issue isn’t just the anti-cheat itself, but the impact it has on players who depend on mods.

What To Watch

• Mod compatibility: Look for a detailed list from Arrowhead regarding which mods will stop working with Easy Anti-Cheat and if any approved workarounds are available.
• Steam rating: The current 80% positive score based on 826,941 reviews is the baseline. A continued decline would indicate a lasting backlash.
• Player counts: Monitor whether the 51,766 concurrent player count holds steady through the October 20 Warbond launch, or if the anti-cheat change and competition from ARC Raiders drive it down.