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EarlG

(23,177 posts)
5. For reference
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 04:41 PM
Yesterday

Last edited Fri Sep 12, 2025, 05:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Helldivers II is a popular video game that came out a while back on Playstation and PC, and is now on Xbox (I think). The game takes place in a fictionalized universe which is basically a ripoff of the movie Starship Troopers (which is a satirical adaptation of a Heinlein novel), where humans have spread across the galaxy and run into other alien species which they try to eradicate, while sending messages back to "Super Earth" that they're "spreading freedom" across the galaxy. From their wiki:

"Freedom. Peace. Managed Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilisation are under attack from deadly alien creatures conspiring to destroy your planet and its values. The Helldivers must take on the role of peacekeepers in this Galactic War and protect their home planet, spread the message of Democracy and repel the hostiles by force."

It's basically a satire on various US military misadventures, like the invasion of Iraq. People who play it very much lean into the tongue-in-cheek faux-propaganda language of the game (like the example above), and the social media accounts also use the same language. It's all in good fun, and the satire is thick, which makes it popular with memers. People who play the game know that it's satire and supposed to be humorous -- but then of course not everybody online is a stable individual.

Edited to add: this was the launch trailer so you can get an idea of the tone of the game.

Recommendations

13 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Does it surprise anyone that a 22 year old spent a lot of time on video games? Silent Type Yesterday #1
As a 59-year-old who spends a lot of time on video games, it does not surprise me at all. nt Gore1FL Yesterday #4
This message was self-deleted by its author HeartsCanHope 16 hrs ago #21
S 65 year old who enjoys the same. Layzeebeaver 14 hrs ago #23
Cable news need to be brought up to speed. gab13by13 Yesterday #2
Apparently there are factions in the maga cult.................. Lovie777 Yesterday #3
I lost my sympathy for them a long time ago. Too many kids slightlv Yesterday #7
Google "Groyper Wars" . . . AverageOldGuy Yesterday #8
For reference EarlG Yesterday #5
"Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?" jmowreader 23 hrs ago #11
I think ST was an inspiration to the game makers LostOne4Ever 21 hrs ago #16
The movie more than the book FBaggins 8 hrs ago #27
To play these types of video games, it should be required that individuals dig a 50 x 3 foot ... Trueblue Texan 18 hrs ago #19
Aww that's great - I see Starship Troopers and the original RoboCop in there. I'm 76 and I approve this message. NBachers 16 hrs ago #22
I used to play Unreal Tournament back in the day BumRushDaShow 10 hrs ago #25
Helldivers 2 is particularly meme-able EarlG 7 hrs ago #29
Have been watching that BumRushDaShow 7 hrs ago #31
Thanks for posting that. yardwork 1 hr ago #34
Wow. The game and reality were one and the same for him. ananda Yesterday #6
You're missing multiple levels of ironic far alt-right detachment - these are Groypers luxmatic Yesterday #9
I stand by my interpretation. ananda 23 hrs ago #10
Is owo like a face? Two wide eyes? intrepidity 22 hrs ago #12
I know Apple has an emoji that looks like this BumRushDaShow 22 hrs ago #13
Yeah, is that what uwu or owo means? nt intrepidity 22 hrs ago #14
Doing a quick search, supposedly " owu" references this - BumRushDaShow 21 hrs ago #15
Right, but just that it is an emoji intrepidity 21 hrs ago #17
In that case, it doesn't seem to be iniitals. And right here on DU BumRushDaShow 21 hrs ago #18
Inscribing things on bullet casing sounds pretty dumb to me IronLionZion 17 hrs ago #20
A 22 year old who plays violent video games? Aussie105 10 hrs ago #24
Maybe just as much video games in Australia, but less access to guns. IronLionZion 9 hrs ago #26
I'm a millenial that grew up on games like GTA AZProgressive 6 hrs ago #32
Other Countries Have Mentally Ill Gamers DrFunkenstein 8 hrs ago #28
You're right about other countries AZProgressive 6 hrs ago #33
He can dive right back into hell where he came from Clouds Passing 7 hrs ago #30
Are inscribed bullet casings something that can be purchased? jojog 24 min ago #35
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