The game's narrative encourages players to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after making their choice to save the hospital of sick kids. This is achieved through the heartwarming message shared by the Very Sick Children of Super Citizen Anne's, expressing their gratitude for the players' sacrifices and stating that they can now grow up to become Helldivers themselves. This positive reinforcement, along with the knowledge that their actions had a meaningful impact within the game world, helps players feel good about their choice. Additionally, the developers' decision to donate $4,311 to Save the Children in response to the players' in-game generosity adds an extra layer of real-world significance and meaning to the choice, further enhancing the emotional connection players may feel towards their decision.
The game's lore reflected the players' decision to save the sick children through an in-fiction message shared by the official Helldivers 2 account. The message was presented as a letter from the very sick children who were saved by the Helldivers, expressing their gratitude for the sacrifices made to help them. This heartwarming message not only acknowledged the players' choice but also provided a sense of connection between the players and the in-game world, emphasizing the impact of their decision within the game's narrative. Additionally, the message ended with the phrase "With Liberty, The Very Sick Children," further reinforcing the theme of freedom and the importance of their choice to save the hospital.
The sketch shared by the official Helldivers 2 account, featuring a child and a Helldiver, holds significant meaning on multiple levels.
Firstly, it serves as a representation of the game's recent moral dilemma event where players were given a choice between saving a hospital of sick children from an army of killer robots or obtaining cool anti-tank mines. The community collectively chose to save the children, showcasing their moral values and cooperative spirit.
Secondly, the sketch symbolizes the bond formed between the Helldivers and the citizens they protect. The child, who represents the citizens of Super Earth in the game, is shown holding hands with a Helldiver, signifying the trust and gratitude built between them. The burning alien skull in the background underlines the Helldivers' role in protecting the citizens from hostile alien threats.
Lastly, the sketch is a heartwarming gesture from the developers, Arrowhead Game Studios, to thank the players for their in-game actions and to confirm that their choices made a real-world impact. This is further emphasized by the accompanying message from the fictional children expressing their gratitude and stating that they now have the opportunity to grow up and become Helldivers themselves.
In essence, the sketch is a visual representation of the game's core themes, the players' moral choices, and the connection between the game's universe and its real-world counterpart.