A new technical update for Helldivers 2 introduces a substantial installation size reduction for PC players through a public beta release. By fully de-duplicating game data, the development team, in partnership with Nixxes, has lowered the installation footprint from roughly 154GB to about 23GB, cutting storage needs by nearly eighty five percent. Internal testing shows minimal impact on loading times, even for the minority of players still using mechanical hard drives.
This slim version is available now as an opt-in beta and retains full compatibility with existing player progression, matchmaking, and galactic war participation. The legacy version remains available for troubleshooting, and the slim version is expected to become the default build once public testing confirms stability.
Patch Notes
File Size Reduction Beta
- Reduced PC installation size from approximately 154GB to approximately 23GB
- Achieved through complete data de duplication
- Internal QA confirms stability and minimal loading time impact
- Level generation remains the primary contributor to load times, even on HDDs
Beta Availability and Compatibility
- Slim version available to all players via Steam beta branch
- No functional differences between slim and legacy versions
- Progression, matchmaking, and war contributions fully preserved
- Players may opt out at any time
- Legacy version will remain available for a limited period after slim version becomes the default
Opt In and Opt Out Instructions
- Opt in by selecting prod_slim in Steam Beta Participation
- Opt out by selecting None
- Legacy version accessible later through prod_legacy for temporary troubleshooting
- Mod users advised to avoid opting in due to increased break risk
Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter available on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. The technical beta for the reduced file size PC build is live now, with the full rollout expected after successful testing.
Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
