Following the success of the Helldivers 2 launch trailer, PlayStation and Arrowhead approached us with an exciting challenge: to create the CG portions of a trailer announcing a massive new update for Helldivers 2. This update introduced fresh enemies, an expansive new map, and—most thrilling of all—a car. As fans of the game ourselves, we were eager to dive in and bring this moment to life for the community. With only a rough script as a starting point, we worked closely with PlayStation to develop the narrative and flesh out the storyboard. From there, our team got to work enhancing in-game assets and crafting hand-animated character performances. For the ominous, voteless horde, we captured live-action reference footage and translated it into animation data for a natural, dynamic feel. Every element of the trailer was meticulously crafted—from building and lighting the environments to designing custom VFX. One standout detail: we modelled the ill-fated teddy bear seen in the opening shots entirely from scratch, adding a memorable touch of tragedy to the scene. The final trailer premiered during the 2024 Game Awards to an electrified live audience. By Sunday, players had already rallied to eliminate the new Illuminate threat, proving the trailer’s ability to galvanize the Helldivers 2 community. Watch the full trailer here!