Helldivers 2 Dev Arrowhead Reacts to Fortnite Alien Mode

The new Fortnite season has you and your squad battling insectoid aliens called "Bugs" while progressing through the battle pass. If that sounds familiar, you're not the only one who thinks so.

Arrowhead Game Studios, the team behind Helldivers 2—another co-op shooter where you fight insectoid aliens also nicknamed "Bugs"—took notice of the similarities. They responded with a lighthearted take, suggesting imitation can be a sincere form of flattery.

"Hmm... feels a bit like 'we have Helldivers at home,'" community manager Katherine Baskin commented on the game's Discord. "But I'm not worried."

"Fortnite is Fortnite, Helldivers is Helldivers," she continued. "If the video game royalty think our style is cool enough to… draw inspiration from… that's actually awesome. The two games are very different, though. There’s room for everyone to succeed."

When asked for his reaction, Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani simply noted that the Fortnite season "feels very democratic"—a nod to Helldivers' setting, set during humanity's galactic expansion known as the 'Great Democratization.'

In truth, Fortnite has always borrowed from other games, films, and genres, creating its own twists or collaborating along the way. This season is no exception: besides fighting Bugs, you can join forces with a humanoid panda, the Power Rangers, and Halo's Spartan soldiers.

So far, the new content seems to be a hit. Epic Games reports players have already eliminated over 250 million Bugs since their invasion began last week. Up next, if leaks are accurate, Fortnite will introduce pet-like Companions—including a turtle on a skateboard.