Helldivers: How a Mythos of Fake(?) Patriotism Was Born From a Game and Weaponized Against Sony
This Wouldn’t Have Happened to Mario Kart, and That’s Because of Personal Mythology
In the two hundred billion dollar industry of video games, usually fun reigns supreme and that’s where it stops. But now, an unusual tale of patriotism, community, and revolt is unfolding. "Helldivers 2," a chaotic war simulator boasting ironic nods to American jingoism, achieved meteoric success. But a recent decision by publisher Sony has sparked a furious backlash – one fueled by the very sense of camaraderie the game itself instilled.
Here’s The Short of it
Sony's shortsighted move? Forcing players to create PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to continue enjoying Helldivers. While a potential annoyance for those in the US, this mandate is outright hostile in nations where PSN accounts are inaccessible. The result: countless players who bought the game are now barred from playing it, despite paying for it.
Within mere hours, the once-beloved Helldivers has seen its reviews plummet. Players are boycotting in droves, their fervor amplified by the same patriotic roleplay that made the game a phenomenon.
How Helldivers Created Personal Myths of Patriotism and Brotherhood
The gameplay of Helldivers may be solid, but its true draw lies in the manufactured patriotism on display. This isn't flag-waving sincerity; the presentation is gleefully satirical. Picture bombastic infomercials urging you to become a Helldiver, lest your loved ones fall into the talons of Terminids “SWEET LIBERTY, NOOOOO!!!”. Yet, beneath the wink-and-a-nod humor, something potent took root.
Instilling the Belief of Camaraderie
The game actively encourages bonding. Strangers share digital fist bumps and hugs before hurtling into battle. Shared trials, from breathless escapes to pyrrhic victories, are paired with a paltry display of fireworks. This is a game that, in jest, echoes the tropes of wartime brotherhood, and the satirical brilliance the film "Starship Troopers."
For many players, Helldivers tapped into something deeper. In an era where patriotism is often fraught with complexities, the game provided a playful, ironic space to express those sentiments. The shared mythology, the in-jokes, and the sense of belonging became something surprisingly real.
Helldivers are given “major orders” that they are meant to accomplish together as a community, and even the most trivial completed tasks go toward contributing to the finishing of these orders. The mythology is so well developed that some players are considered a sort of veteran for participating in certain missions at locations like Hellmire and Malevelon Creek. They get nicknames like Creekers. It’s a game with its own war stories.
This Wouldn’t Have Happened to Mario Kart and That’s a Direct Result of Personal Mythology
Consider a counterpoint: imagine Nintendo enacting a similar policy with "Mario Kart." The outcry would be minimal. Why? Because Mario Kart doesn't cultivate the same kind of mythos. It lacks the elements that encourage deep player connection and a shared sense of purpose. Not that it ever needed them. Usually gaming focuses on, and ends with mere fun that ends when the controllers are put down.
In contrast, Helldivers specifically supports a more human connection, such as the ability to drop an SOS Beacon during gameplay, which alerts other players around the globe to dive into the plane you are on and snatch you from the jaws of defeat. This, like other bonding features in Helldivers, is not a necessary feature for the game. It’s a necessary feature for deeper feelings of duty that go beyond conventional gaming.
Weaponized Patriotism
The mock-patriotism of Helldivers has been turned against Sony. Fervent declarations of "no Helldiver left behind" mingle freely with genuine outrage. What began as tongue-in-cheek play has become a rallying cry. It raises a fascinating question: at what point does satirical fervor bleed into genuine sentiment during a crisis?
The mock propaganda piece below has thousands of ‘upvotes’ in a subcommunity on Reddit.com, and is only one example among many other responses to the drama.
Other shows of patriotism include:
And my own contribution, because it’s fun…
If You Want to Take Any Life Situation to The Next Level, Look at it From a Personal Mythology Perspective
The Helldivers debacle offers a stark reminder of the power of shared narratives, even those born within fictional worlds. While we may dismiss them as 'just games,' these communities and the feelings they engender are very real. For businesses and creators, understanding and respecting that power is crucial - you can create and support it, or even face a revolt fueled by the very myths you fostered.
We rarely see them through this lens. And because of that we are missing an entire cosmic layer of meaning and understanding just beneath.
When you do not look at the Helldiver situations from a personal mythologist’s view, you see a common user backlash to hamfisted corporate greed, and the interesting bonus of player-made propaganda pieces. It’s entertaining, but so what?
But when you put on your mythic lenses, you understand the much deeper elements of what is transpiring here, and you gain the power to repurpose this understanding to other areas of life, to foster mythic interactions.