Helldivers 2's New Major Order Forces Players Into a Major Moral Dilemma

Helldivers 2 is getting a new Major Order that forces players into a major moral dilemma of choosing between saving children or getting a shiny new weapon.

The new Major Order comes as players have just wrapped up a campaign against the Terminid threat that culminated in the destruction of Meridia. It is also expected that the super colony, as well as the ominous black hole that it left behind, will lead to further consequences in the future.

Helldivers 2's New Major Order

The latest Major Order is known as Operation Trolley Problem, which is an apt name that references a long-standing philosophical question. This is do you let five people die on the titular trolley by not doing anything or pull a switch and actively kill one and save the others?

But in Helldivers 2, the question is whether you save a bunch of sick children from being completely annihilated by killer robots or get some cool anti-tank mines. There are two planets that are in need of liberation; Vernen Wells and Marfark, according to Polygon.

The former planet is host to Super Citizen Anne's Hospital for Very Sick Children and the latter is home to the MD-17 Anti-Tank Mines. The text of the in-game Major Order reads, "Only the first planet liberated is likely to be saved."

It adds that the Helldivers are trusted to determine which course of action, either rescuing the children or the AT Mines, will ultimately save the most Freedom.

At first look, things might be looking pretty bleak and players might be inclined to think that there is only one obvious "right" choice, which is saving the children.

However, you have to consider that the Helldivers have been denied access to the mines two times now. In one instance, Helldivers had to choose between it and the Airburst Rocket Launcher, and players chose the latter.

The new Major Order comes as the game's developer, Arrowhead Game Studios recently posted a job opening on its official website. The studio is now looking for a second Game Master to "handle the day-to-day running of the Galactic War in Helldivers 2," said GamesRadar.

Some players have already speculated that the current Game Master, Joel, is set to retire the Game Master dice. However, Arrowhead Game Studios has now confirmed that it is looking for someone to support him instead.

A Moral Dilemma

Community manager Thomas "Twinbeard" Petersson explained that the rumors about Joel's demise are "greatly exaggerated." He noted that the Game Master is very much alive and is scheming as usual.

The latest moral dilemma comes as the latest in a series of twists and turns in Helldivers 2's ongoing galactic war. There have been glorious victories and shameful defeats throughout the various updates.

One meme post had asked Arrowhead Game Studios to give players a cape made by the kids thanking Helldivers if they choose to save them. It noted that they could also add some drawings on their super destroyer to commemorate their liberation.

There are also a bunch of other posts doing the same thing that are also wondering what rewards players will get for saving the kids other than keeping their consciousness clean, according to VG247.