If you’ve kept up with the buzz this week, you’ve probably heard that Helldivers 2 introduced a cowboy-inspired Warbond called Borderline Justice. Curiously, it doesn’t include a cowboy hat, as developer Arrowhead believes this iconic headgear doesn’t align with the Helldiver uniform standards.
Not surprisingly, many players disagree. Some have even left the official gear saloon to grab mods that let them pair the new armor with a classic ten-gallon hat. Johan Pilestedt, Helldivers 2’s director and current creative brain on a break, weighed in on the issue through a Twitter conversation while attending GDC sessions.
After seeking players’ opinions on the Borderline Justice gear, Pilestedt faced a flood of questions about the missing cowboy hat and whether it might appear in the game eventually. He responded, “I haven’t been in on the design chat, but a cowboy hat doesn’t seem to jive with the Helldivers’ ethos, which I agree with. I’ll bring it up next time I’m at the office.” To another player, he added, “Sure, it’d be great, but it doesn’t fit the Helldivers’ theme… helmets usually don’t pair with hats.”
Several players weren’t thrilled with his last comment, pointing out the PH-9 Predators armor from last year’s Viper Commandos Warbond featured a beret over a helmet. So, perhaps the real question is, do cowboys fight wars, and is a cavalry hat any different?
On a brighter note, Pilestedt did hint at an exciting possibility for the future. “[A] perk enabling players to use sidearms as primary weapons and wield them akimbo,” he suggested. However, he admitted, “The animation work is quite extensive, but maybe someday?”
Would you pair a hat with your helmet in real life? Which helmet are you picturing? Share your thoughts with us below!
