The relentlessly challenging world of Helldivers 2 is about to get a little more… unsettling. Arrowhead Studios, the developer behind the popular cooperative shooter, is hinting at the return of a previously featured enemy faction, stirring up speculation amongst its dedicated player base.
The tease originated on the official Helldivers Discord channel, where Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani posted a message encoded in binary. According to GamesRadar, the translation reads: “you’re gonna s*** your pants.” This isn’t a random outburst; it’s a callback to a running joke Jorjani initiated last year, suggesting a particularly daunting challenge is on the horizon.
While the message itself is cryptic, the context is key. Players have long speculated about the potential reintroduction of the Illuminate, a technologically advanced alien race that served as a primary antagonist in the original Helldivers. Hints and rumors have circulated for months, fueled by leaked character models and reports of unseen enemies engaging players during missions. The community’s anticipation reached a fever pitch earlier this year, with many believing the Illuminate were poised to make a comeback.
However, in April 2024, Arrowhead clarified that the initial “something is coming” message was simply a response to a question about a potential game patch, as reported by Dexerto. The developers seemingly leaned into the game’s lore to deliver the answer, but also added a small, lingering tease: “there is nothing new coming… for now.”
The latest binary message, coupled with Jorjani’s history of playful provocation, has reignited those hopes – and fears. The timing is particularly interesting, coming after a period of significant content updates for Helldivers 2, including the introduction of Terminid Hive Worlds in August 2025, as detailed by GamesRadar. These new worlds feature massive underground caves where standard stratagems are less effective, and the return of Hive Lords, presenting a formidable new challenge for players.
The introduction of Hive Worlds suggests Arrowhead is committed to escalating the difficulty and complexity of Helldivers 2. The game has already established a dynamic galactic war, where player actions directly influence the overall conflict. The addition of a new enemy faction, particularly one as strategically sophisticated as the Illuminate, would further complicate this dynamic and demand new tactics from players.
The potential return of the Illuminate also taps into a deeper vein of nostalgia for long-time fans of the series. The Illuminate represented a significant departure from the more brute-force Terminids and Automatons, requiring players to adapt to a different style of combat focused on hacking, stealth, and countering advanced technology. Their reintroduction could offer a refreshing change of pace and a new layer of strategic depth.
However, it’s important to note that Arrowhead has a history of playfully misleading its community. In September 2024, the galactic map briefly appeared to show the presence of the Illuminate, only for Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt to dismiss it as “fake news,” according to PC Gamer. This suggests the developers enjoy stoking speculation and keeping players guessing.
Despite the potential for misdirection, the evidence is mounting that something significant is brewing within the Helldivers 2 universe. Jorjani’s latest message, combined with the ongoing content updates and the persistent rumors surrounding the Illuminate, points to a major new threat on the horizon. Whether it’s the Illuminate or something entirely new, players should prepare to have their pants thoroughly soiled – as the CEO so playfully suggests.
As of , Arrowhead Studios has not officially confirmed the return of the Illuminate, but the community remains vigilant, eagerly awaiting further clues and bracing for the inevitable arrival of a new galactic challenge.
