Helldivers 2 joins PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Sony has added Helldivers 2 to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium in its August 2026 update, allowing subscribers on those tiers to access the co-operative shooter from today. The move coincides with the launch of the Devoid of Liberty expansion and may further widen the game’s player base, though PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers are not included.
Developed by Arrowhead Studios, Helldivers 2 has sold about 20 million copies since its 2024 release and became PlayStation’s fastest-selling game. Devoid of Liberty adds missions involving the Illuminate, altered planets and 300 unlockable ranks, while a community challenge asks players to defeat 500 million enemies by 18 August to unlock four PlayStation avatars; its Xbox release in September 2025 sold 926,000 copies in six days.
- Helldivers 2 joins PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium.
- The addition coincides with the Devoid of Liberty expansion.
- The game has sold around 20 million copies.
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Helldivers 2 is an online co-operative action game in which up to four players work together on missions against alien enemies. It was made by Swedish developer Arrowhead Game Studios and published by Sony’s PlayStation division, first releasing in 2024 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Players are part of the fictional Helldivers force, sent to fight for a future human government called Super Earth. The game is known for demanding teamwork, as players can accidentally harm one another and must coordinate weapons, supplies and objectives.
PlayStation Plus is Sony’s subscription service, with Extra and Premium tiers giving members access to a catalogue of games alongside other benefits. Adding a major title to that catalogue can make it available to more subscribers, while new expansions provide additional missions and rewards for existing players.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Adding Helldivers 2 to the higher PlayStation Plus tiers can give a successful live-service game a timely influx of players just as its expansion arrives, making co-operative matchmaking more vibrant and helping new content reach a wider audience. Supporters may also see it as tangible value for Extra and Premium subscribers, while preserving a distinction between those tiers and Essential. A larger active community could support the game’s longevity and future development.
The case against
Critics may argue that placing a game which still sells strongly on a subscription service risks reducing direct purchases and may feel unfair to players who recently paid full price. They may also question whether excluding Essential subscribers fragments the PlayStation audience and turns access to a major update into an incentive to upgrade. From this perspective, Sony should be cautious about using subscription availability in ways that could weaken the perceived value of owning new games.
More coverage
- Polygon — Helldivers 2 now on PS Plus Game Catalog with new patch
- IGN — Sony Predicts Influx of New Players as Helldivers 2 Drops on the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog Alongside New Update and Warhammer 40,000 Warbond
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Originally published by Eurogamer as “Out of nowhere, Sony confirms that 2024 breakout hit Helldivers 2 joins PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium today”.