Helldivers 2 has taken the gaming world by storm, offering an exhilarating co-op experience filled with massive explosions, tactical teamwork, and the satisfying eradication of alien threats across the galaxy. It is, quite simply, an absolute blast to play, delivering the kind of chaotic, over-the-top action that keeps players coming back for "one more dive."However, for a significant portion of the PC community, enjoying the fight for Super Earth came with a massive barrier to entry: its gargantuan file size.In its initial release, installing
Helldivers 2 demanded a staggering amount of storage space—often well over
150 GB. In an age where digital storage, particularly high-speed SSDs, is still a premium commodity, an install footprint of that size is simply untenable for many players. No matter how fantastic the gameplay, demanding such a massive chunk of one’s hard drive for a single title has historically been a major deterrent.The good news is that the dedicated teams behind the game listened intently to the community’s concerns. Recognizing that file size was actively preventing many potential Helldivers from joining the war, the development team, in collaboration with the technical experts at
Nixxes Studio, have engineered a revolutionary solution.
Helldivers 2 is now available in an astonishingly optimized, significantly smaller package.This incredible effort has resulted in a massive
85 percent reduction in the game's installation size, slashing the space required from over 150 GB down to a remarkably lean
23 GB. This technical achievement is a game-changer, making the title vastly more accessible and much kinder to your precious solid-state drives.To take advantage of this massive optimization immediately, you have two clear paths: you can patiently await the official, full-scale release of the optimized files, or you can jump into the future
today by opting into the public beta branch. If you’re eager to free up your storage right away, our detailed guide below will walk you through the process of joining the "slim version" beta.
Helldivers 2: How To Play Slim Version Beta
Enlisting Immediately: Accessing the Slim Version Beta
For PC users playing via Steam, opting intothe specialized beta branch is a straightforward process that requiresonly a few clicks and a quick download.
Step 1: Open Your Steam Client
Launch the Steam application on your personal computer.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Game Library
From the main menu or window, go to your Library. This is where all of your owned titles are listed. Use the search barlocated in the upper-left corner of your screen to quickly locate andselect Helldivers 2.
Step 3: Access the Properties Menu
- Right-Click on the Helldivers 2 listing in your game library.
- From the context menu that appears, select Properties. This action will open a new configuration window.
Step 4: Locate the Betas Configuration
Within the Properties menu, you will see several tabs running across the top(General, Updates, Installed Files, etc.). Click on the Betas tab, which is typically the fourth tab from the top.
Step 5: Select the Slim Beta Branch
Under the Betas tab, you will find an option labeled Beta Participation. Next to this option is a drop-down menu that usually displays "None."
- Click on the drop-down menu.
- A list of available beta branches will appear. Select the option labeled "prod_slim".
Step 6: The Download and Optimization
Once you select the "prod_slim" branch:
- Steam will immediately begin downloading a new file package. This initialupdate is relatively small, clocking in at approximately 10 GB.
- After this file downloads and is successfully processed, Steam willautomatically reorganize and optimize your local game installationfiles.
- The end result? Your copy of Helldivers 2 will now occupy a mere 23 GB of space on your storage device—a monumental victory for Super Earth and your SSD.
Considerations Before Deployment
It is crucial to remember that the current slim version of Helldivers 2 is still categorized as a beta branch. While the developers and partners have worked diligently on thisoptimization, participation in a beta means there is a non-zero chanceof encountering minor bugs, stability issues, or other unforeseentechnical hiccups.
- Our Experience: Based on preliminary testing and community feedback, the experience onthe "prod_slim" branch has been overwhelmingly positive, with manyplayers reporting no noticeable degradation in performance or stability. The technical work performed is highly impressive.
- A Cautious Approach: If you are playing competitively or simply prefer an absolutelyrock-solid, verified stable version of the game, you always have theoption to wait. The development team intends to officially deploy thisslim, optimized version en masse to all players in the near future.
However, for those desperate to reclaim their storage space and dive back intothe fray without the burden of an obsolete, massive file size, the"prod_slim" beta is a fantastic, immediately accessible solution. Thissize reduction demonstrates a strong commitment from the developers toboth technical excellence and player accessibility—a win for democracyeverywhere!
Tags: Cooperative shooter, Top-down shooter, Sci-fi action game, Helldivers 2 gameplay, Helldivers 2 tips, Helldivers 2 update
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC
Developer(s): Arrowhead Game Studios
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Mode: Single-player, multiplayer
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