Helldivers 2 Receives a Mysterious Steam Update Named “gameplay_illuminates,” Leaving Players Guessing

Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz around Helldivers 2 potentially introducing a long-awaited third faction. Fans who’ve played the original game might remember the Illuminates, and their return feels like a topic that’s been popping up in conversations for years. Well, there’s new speculation fueled by a Steam depot update intriguingly named “gameplay_illuminates.”

I’m not pulling your leg here. Arrowhead has decided on a name that might be as on-the-nose as Democracy Space Station, and this update has naturally stirred up talk. For a while now, there’s been chatter about these formidable foes possibly joining the fray during the Galactic War, especially since those chaotic days when Meridia met its untimely end.

This buzz gained traction when a sharp-eyed Helldivers 2 fan with the username Dangerous-Return5937 spotted the update in SteamDB. The update titled “gameplay_illuminates” was added just today, but beyond its intriguing name, details are scarce. We don’t yet know if this signals the Illuminate’s inclusion in the game or when they might officially make their entrance.

Interestingly, since this update label is visible to anyone online, it hardly qualifies as a “leak.” As expected, it’s set the community abuzz with mixed reactions. Some are eager to take it as a sign of exciting things to come, while others are tempering their enthusiasm, and a few are simply bewildered.

Critics of the update name point out its unusual transparency, suggesting that if this really is about the Illuminates, Arrowhead might have opted for something less obvious. Their history includes updates named “studio_playtest” and “gameplay_worlds,” alongside more cryptic tags like “mimosa,” “orion,” and “wushu,” which haven’t stirred nearly as much speculation.

A moderator from the Helldivers 2 subreddit summed it up by saying, “Arrowhead might be inviting the speculation with such a straightforward depot name.” There’s a chance this is all just a playful tease from the developers. One fan quipped, “Can’t wait for it to be just an update on the lighting in the game and everyone getting bamboozled.”

So, while this might be an intriguing development, it’s wise not to get carried away just yet. Even if this is pointing towards the arrival of the Illuminates, their actual debut could be further down the road. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this intriguing twist!