Helldivers 2 Director Supports Arrowhead’s Stance Against Cowboy Hats: “Helmets Aren’t for Hats”

If you’ve been keeping up with the buzz this week, you might have caught wind of Helldivers 2’s latest release, the cowboy-inspired Warbond called Borderline Justice. There’s a bit of a stir among players, though, as it seems Arrowhead Studios decided to leave out the cowboy hat. They believe such accessories don’t quite match the strict Helldiver uniform code.

However, not everyone in the community agrees with that choice. Some enthusiasts have taken matters into their own hands, opting to download a mod that pairs the new armor with a classic ten-gallon hat. Johan Pilestedt, currently taking some time off from his role as Helldivers 2 director and chief creative officer, shared his thoughts on the matter via Twitter while attending the Game Developers Conference.

Between panel discussions, Pilestedt engaged with fans, fielding questions about the absence of the cowboy hat in the Borderline Justice gear. When asked if a hat might be added in the future, he replied, “I’m not sure—I haven’t been part of that design conversation. But I think adding a cowboy hat crosses the line of what Helldivers represent, and I agree with that.” He did promise to bring it up with the team when he’s back in the office. Responding to another player, he acknowledged the appeal but added, “While it would look awesome, it might conflict with the Helldivers’ overall fantasy… helmets aren’t usually paired with hats.”

Pilestedt’s comments stirred the pot further. Some players reminded him that last year’s Viper Commandos Warbond included a beret on top of a helmet, pointing out a potential inconsistency in the uniform guidelines. This raises an interesting debate about what counts as acceptable military attire. After all, would a cowboy or cavalry hat really clash with the Helldivers’ ethos?

Amidst these discussions, Pilestedt did hint at something promising on the horizon. He mentioned the idea of a perk allowing players to take sidearms as their primary weapons and wield them akimbo. While the necessary animations make this a hefty task, he teased, “Maybe sometime in the future?”

So, do you ever sport a hat over your helmet in real life adventures? And if so, which helmet are we talking about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!