Arrowhead Game Studios plans to drop HDD support for Helldivers 2 on PCs to reduce the game's file size.
Installation Size Challenges
The PC version of Helldivers 2 initially required over 100 GB of space. Although the installation folder reduced to 70 GB post-download, updates have increased the size to 135 GB as of late October 2025 according to the Steam page.
- PC initial install size: over 100 GB.
- PC install size post-download: 70 GB.
- Current PC size: 135 GB (2025-10-31).
- PS5 version size range: 25 GB to 35 GB.
- Consoles like Xbox use SSDs, reducing redundancy.
Potential Changes and Implications
CEO Shams Jorjani announced the possible change on October 23, 2025, over the official Helldivers Discord. HDDs require data duplication to streamline loading times, which could be eliminated with SSD support.
Deputy Technical Director Brendan Armstrong noted that HDD duplication compensates for slower read speeds, a problem eliminated by SSD technology.
Arrowhead is studying player impact before making final decisions, with one option being separate builds for HDD and SSD users.
Future Considerations
Arrowhead started addressing these size issues in early September 2025, though has not yet provided a resolution timeline. The studio aims to improve user experience while minimizing install sizes, potentially easing future updates.
