At this point, the possibility of Helldivers 2 introducing its long-rumored third faction—the Illuminates from the first game—feels like a topic we’ve been bouncing around for what seems like forever. However, recent developments have sparked new excitement as a Steam depot update for the game was intriguingly named “gameplay_illuminates.”
I’m not pulling your leg here. For some reason, Arrowhead has chosen to drop this potentially straightforward hint, reminiscent of the straightforwardness we’ve seen with names like Democracy Space Station. This move has naturally stirred up speculation about whether these new contenders might finally make their debut in the Galactic War, something fans have anticipated since the days of Meridia’s spaghetti incident and a few other instances since then.
As noticed by the vigilant Helldivers 2 subreddit user Dangerous-Return5937, the update appeared on SteamDB, and it’s tagged with that mysterious “gameplay_illuminates” label. Beyond the name itself, there’s scant information available about what this actually means—whether it really signals the arrival of the Illuminates or when they might officially join the fray.
What’s interesting is that this isn’t a behind-the-scenes leak. It’s right there, accessible to anyone with internet access, which makes it a curious case. Players have mixed feelings—some are getting thrilled about the prospects, others are reserving judgment, and a few are downright bewildered.
Skeptics have raised an eyebrow, pointing out how odd it is for Arrowhead to be so blatant—if it indeed involves the Illuminates. The developer has a history of naming updates with cryptic titles like “studio_playtest” and “gameplay_worlds,” while some updates carried more ambiguous names like “mimosa,” “orion,” and “wushu,” less likely to encourage premature fan theories.
As one moderator from the HD2 subreddit jokingly put it, “Arrowhead is almost inviting this speculation by giving the update such a suggestive name.” Some believe it’s a troll move by the studio, teasing fans rather than slipping up. “Wouldn’t it be classic if this is just an update on the game’s lighting, leading everyone astray?” one user quipped.
For now, it’s probably wise to rein in the excitement. Even if it does involve the Illuminates, there’s no assurance they are on the verge of making a significant entrance. But what are your thoughts on this mysterious development? Share your reactions below!
