Yee-naw: Helldivers 2 Director Supports Arrowhead’s Controversial No Cowboy Hat Policy, Declares “Hats Don’t Belong on Helmets”

You might have caught wind of it earlier this week, but Helldivers 2 recently introduced a cowboy-themed Warbond known as Borderline Justice. Interestingly, it doesn’t feature a cowboy hat. The folks at Arrowhead don’t believe that kind of hat fits within the Helldiver uniform regulations.

Unsurprisingly, this decision hasn’t struck the right chord with some players. In fact, a handful of them have taken matters into their own hands, stepping away from the official gear offerings to find mods that pair the new armor with a ten-gallon hat. Johan Pilestedt, the creative mind behind Helldivers 2, who’s currently taking a break, shared his perspective on Twitter while attending panels at the GDC.

When asked for feedback on Borderline Justice, fans were quick to inquire about the absence of a cowboy hat and whether there’s a chance one might be added in the future. Pilestedt responded to one query by saying, “I haven’t been part of that design discussion, but I think it might be a step too far from what defines the Helldivers. We’ll see when I swing by the office next.” To another fan, he admitted, “While it would certainly look cool, it could disrupt the Helldivers’ aesthetic—helmets typically don’t accommodate hats.”

Some in the gaming community found this explanation frustrating, pointing out that the beret from last year’s Viper Commandos Warbond, featuring the PH-9 Predators armor, managed to fit over a helmet, aligning with the game’s rules. This raises the question: what qualifies as appropriately military headgear? Do cowboy hats fit the bill, or are they purely civilian?

In the midst of the hat hubbub, Pilestedt hinted at an exciting potential addition to the game. He mentioned the possibility of a perk that would allow players to carry sidearms as primary weapons and use them akimbo. The caveat? It’s a bit of an animation challenge right now, but could be a consideration down the road.

So, do you ever find yourself sporting a hat over your helmet? And more importantly, what kind of helmet are we talking about? We’d love to hear your thoughts below!