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

As you may have noticed—since it’s been quite the hot topic this week—Helldivers 2 recently introduced a cowboy-themed Warbond called Borderline Justice. However, there’s been some chatter because it’s missing a cowboy hat. Arrowhead, the developers, decided that a cowboy hat doesn’t quite fit within the strict Helldiver uniform guidelines.

This didn’t sit well with some fans. In fact, a few have left the official gear chat and opted for mods that let them pair the new armor with a classic cowboy hat. Johan Pilestedt, the Helldivers 2 director and chief creative officer, currently enjoying a break from the usual grind, shared his thoughts on social media during his time at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

When asked about the missing cowboy hat in the Borderline Justice gear, Pilestedt found himself fielding numerous inquiries. He responded on Twitter, uncertain if a cowboy hat would ever make it to the game. “I don’t know—haven’t heard the design conversation. But I think it crosses the line of what the Helldivers are, which I agree with,” he remarked. He promised to discuss it with the team next time he’s at the office.

Another fan received a slightly nuanced response: “I agree that a cowboy hat would be awesome, but I think it would break the fantasy of Helldivers…people don’t wear hats on helmets,” Pilestedt explained.

This logic left some players frustrated, as they pointed out that last year’s PH-9 Predators armor from the Viper Commandos Warbond featured a beret on top of a helmet. It seems the definition of what hats qualify as military attire is up for debate. Do cowboys war hats into battle, and does a cavalry hat count?

Despite the hat hubbub, Pilestedt hinted at a potential feature coming our way that might stir excitement. “[A] perk that allows people to take sidearms as primary AND wield them akimbo,” he mentioned. While adding the animations would require significant effort, he teased it might happen in the future.

So, do you ever don a hat on your helmet in real life? Which type of helmet are we talking about? Share your thoughts with us below!