This Deposit of ‘Weird’ Cretaceous Amber Could Reveal Hints to Long-Forgotten Tsunamis in Japan A new study highlights the potential of amber fossils to capture evidence of powerful, prehistoric ocean waves A tsunami might have occured some 115 million years ago, near where deposits of Cretaceous amber were found in Japan. Wikimedia Commons under CC0 1.0 Scientists in Japan have uncovered amber deposits that may hold elusive evidence of tsunamis that occurred between 114 million and 116 million years ago. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports last week. The researchers stumbled upon the amber—fossilized tree resin—by chance while collecting rocks from a sand mine in Hokkaido, an island in northern Japan. The deposit would have been on the seafloor when it was formed during the Cretaceous period. “We found a weird form of amber,” says lead author Aya Kubota, a geologist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan, to Katherine Kornei at Science News. The scientists analyzed the resin with a technique called fluorescence imaging, in which they snapped photos of the remains under ultraviolet light. This helped them see how the amber was separated by layers of dark sediment, creating shapes known as “flame structures.” The unusual pattern arises when soft amber deforms before completely hardening. “Generally, they will form when a denser layer gets deposited on top of a softer layer,” says Carrie Garrison-Laney, a geologist at Washington Sea Grant who was not involved in the study, to Science News. The researchers suggest this is evidence that the resin rapidly traveled from land while it was still malleable and solidified underwater. A tsunami could be what swept the trees from land to the ocean so quickly, the study authors write. If true, this could offer scientists a potential new technique for finding prehistoric tsunamis. “Identifying tsunamis is generally challenging,” Kubota explains to Live Science’s Olivia Ferrari in an email. Tsunami deposits are easily eroded by the environment, and they can also be hard to distinguish from deposits caused by other storms. But in this case, “by combining detailed field observations with the internal structures of amber, we were able to conclude that the most plausible cause was tsunamis.” Cretaceous amber deposits (a, b, d, e) and fossilized driftwood (c) examined in the study Kubota, Aya et al., Scientific Reports, 2025, under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Other evidence also bolsters the researchers’ conclusion: A massive, nearby landslide offers a sign that an earthquake may have occurred around the same time the amber formed, and displaced mud and tree trunks were found in the same sediments—all signs of a violent tsunami. The trunks didn’t show any signs of erosion by shallow water-dwelling marine creatures, suggesting they were carried quickly out to sea. The vegetation found in the fossil deposit suggests multiple tsunamis occurred within the span of two million years, reports Hannah Richter for Science. But Garrison-Laney tells Science News that more evidence is needed to prove the amber is linked to a tsunami. She’s not sure the Cretaceous tree resin would have stayed soft once it hit the cold ocean water. “That seems like a stretch to me,” she tells the publication, adding that research on more of the area’s amber deposit will be needed to confirm the findings. With further study, scientists could use amber-rich sediments as a way to identify tsunamis throughout history. “Resin offers a rare, time-sensitive snapshot of depositional processes,” Kubota tells Live Science. Previously, scientists have found tiny crustaceans, prehistoric mollusks and even hell ants encased in the orangey resin, a window into worlds past. Now, “the emerging concept of ‘amber sedimentology’ holds exciting potential to provide unique insights into sedimentological processes,” Kubota adds to Live Science. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. More about: Fossils Japan New Research Oceans Tsunami

The island of Bolga, just visible off the starboard bow during the trial voyage onboard ‘Skårungen’ in May 2022, is an important traditional landmark that may have featured in Viking Age seafaring itineraries from the Arctic towards southern Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Credit: Journal of Archeological Method and Theory / Jarrett Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Greer Jarrett has spent the past three years sailing Scandinavia’s waterways in historically accurate Viking ships. The voyages aren’t part of some reenactment fantasy or preparation for an upcoming film role. Instead, the archeologist wants to show that exploration based on historical knowledge can help us better understand how an ancient culture lived, explored, and interacted with the world around them. Last year, Jarrett contributed to research suggesting the Vikings participated in more complex trading routes with Indigenous Arctic tribes than previously believed. After his latest excursions along the eastern coasts of Norway, Jarrett now says his team believes that rather than solely relying on concentrated trading outposts, Norse sailors frequently utilized a decentralized network of ports on the region’s numerous islands and peninsulas. Their argument is detailed in a study published earlier this month in the Journal of Archeological Method and Theory. Over 3,100 miles at sea Since 2022, Jarrett and his intrepid crews have navigated multiple voyages aboard an open, square-rigged clinker boat built in the style of those used during the Viking Age (roughly 800–1050 CE). Their first trip traveled to and from the Arctic Circle from Trondheim, a common route for sailors after the Norwegian city’s founding in 997 CE. The researchers have since sailed more than 3,100 miles along historic Viking trade routes, as well as into the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat waterway separating Sweden from Denmark. These expeditions, coupled with interdisciplinary analysis and evidence, has provided substantial evidence that the original Viking travelers journeyed further from land than historians long theorized. However, these trips weren’t undertaken with the aid of a compass, sextant, or even a map. Instead, the Norse relied on mental maps informed by cultural myths tied to coastal landmarks. “Examples include Viking stories about the islands Torghatten, Hestmona and Skrova off the Norwegian coast,” Jarrett explained in a Lund University profile. “The stories serve to remind sailors of the dangers surrounding these places, or of their importance as navigation marks.”  These tales were passed down through generations to help seafarers, or what Jarrett refers to as a “Maritime Cultural Mindscape.” He also conducted interviews with present-day fishermen and sailors about various routes known to have been utilized in the 19th and early 20th century, before motorized boats were common. The Norðvegr, with the coastal regions mentioned in the text, the tracks of the project’s two trial voyages (black and white dashed lines), and the traditional sailing corridor along the west coast of Norway (blue shaded zone), known in Old Norse as leið. Credit: Journal of Archeological Method and Theory Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords. He and his team sailed two trips along Norway’s western coast towards the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago in the Arctic Circle. While their rigging and ship were modeled after ancient technology, researchers also utilized digital geospatial reconstructions of the region to envision the surrounding landscapes as they would have existed at the time of the Vikings. According to Jarrett, the daily challenges are “just as great, but not as obvious” as ocean sailing. These included underwater currents and katabatic winds—the wind generated as a mountain’s dense, cool, high-altitude air flows into a lower elevation. Weather proved an additional challenge, particularly the cold temperatures in the Lofoten Islands. “Our hands really suffered. At that point I realized just how crucial it is to have a good crew,” Jarrett said. Extensive socio-cultural knowledge also didn’t keep the voyages free from danger, either. At one point, the boat’s mainsail yard snapped, forcing Jarrett and his crew to improvise a solution using only Viking-era materials. “We had to lash two oars together to hold the sail, and hope that it would hold,” he said. After returning home, Jarrett and colleagues combined their data with historical documentation and cultural knowledge. It was clear to them that the numerous environmental and oceanographic variables made coastal journeys difficult in their own special set of ways. “With this type of boat, it has to be easy to get in and out of the harbor in all possible wind conditions. There must be several routes in and out,” he said. “Shallow bays are not an issue because of the shallow draft of the boats. Getting far up the narrow fjords, however, is tricky. They are difficult to sail upwind with a square rig, and the boats are sensitive to katabatic winds.” Continuities in boatbuilding traditions from the Viking Age are evident in the shape and rig of this fyring, a smaller type of Åfjord boat similar to the vessels associated with non-elite Viking Age farmsteads. Credit: Tora Heide Viking havens His resulting study argues it is highly unlikely that Vikings only docked at well-established, populated towns and harbors. Instead, sailors probably relied on a decentralized network of smaller port hubs located farther out to sea that Jarrett refers to as “havens.” “A lot of the time, we only know about the starting and ending points of the trade that took place during the Viking Age. Major ports, such as Bergen and Trondheim in Norway, Ribe in Denmark, and Dublin in Ireland,” said Jarrett. “The thing I am interested in is what happened on the journeys between these major trading centers.” Jarrett has now identified four potential sites along the Norwegian coast that could have served as Viking havens. He hopes that archeological teams may soon investigate these areas to see what they might unearth. Evidence could include jetty and mooring post remnants, ballast stones, boatbuilding pits, temporary shelters, and artifacts indicating local commerce. At the same time, he acknowledges that these suggestions are starting points, not necessarily final destinations. “Due to the nature of the evidence, the methodology presented here can uncover potentials, but not realities,” Jarrett and the study’s co-authors write. “The list of possible Viking Age havens… is intended as a working document, which can shape and be shaped by future archaeological surveys and excavations.”

A New, Shape-Shifting ‘Flapjack’ Octopus Has Been Discovered in the Deep Sea Off the Coast of Australia The tiny Carnarvon flapjack octopus is the latest of ten species described by Australian scientists after a 2022 research trip The newly described octopus, Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis, has red tentacles. Cindy Bessey / CSIRO A new species of shape-shifting octopus has just been described by scientists in Australia. The tiny cephalopod grows only about 1.6 inches across, but it can survive more than half a mile beneath the ocean’s surface. Scientists have named the octopus the Carnarvon flapjack (Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis), after the Carnarvon Canyon Marine Park off the coast of Western Australia, where it was found back in 2022. The “flapjack” part of its name comes from its shape-shifting nature—flapjack octopuses can flatten their bodies into pancake-like discs. The octopus marks the tenth new species to be described from specimens collected by researchers aboard the Investigator, a vessel led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national scientific research agency. The ship has been charting Australia’s waters for years, mapping the seafloor and studying marine life. During the 2022 expedition, the team used high-tech cameras, nets and sleds to collect samples and snap photographs deep below the ocean’s surface. Many of the specimens they found are thought to be new species, according to a statement from CSIRO. Tristan Verhoeff, a volunteer systematic taxonomist at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, went through a long, multi-step process to name the new octopus and verify that it had never been seen before. “It is exciting, but at the same time, there is pressure to do it right,” he says to Crystal McKay at theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation. “It is easy to think you have a new species when you don’t. That’s why it takes time, as you need to compare specimens and literature descriptions.” To name the new species, Verhoeff had to collect measurements of the octopus, count its suckers, dissect its organs and take detailed photos, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Then, researchers compared that information to records of already identified species. Top view of the new octopus species (Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis) Cindy Bessey / CSIRO The Carnarvon flapjack is a type of deep-sea dwelling “dumbo” octopus, so nicknamed because the ear-like fins just above their eyes give them a resemblance to the popular Disney elephant. “Dumbo octopus are a rare and unusual species that live on the seafloor,” adds Verhoeff in the statement. “They reproduce and grow slowly, are very soft and gelatinous and, unlike other octopus, they produce no ink and cannot change color.” Some of the Investigator’s other recent discoveries include the painted hornshark, the parallel-spine scorpionfish and an “incredibly rare” blind cusk eel. These creatures all add to scientists’ understanding of seafloor habitats in Western Australia. A researcher holds the painted hornshark, which was discovered on the Investigator's 2022 expedition. Frederique Olivier / CSIRO Scientists discovered the parallel-spine scorpionfish on the 2022 research voyage. Frederique Olivier / CSIRO The findings also “help marine managers, such as Parks Australia, better conserve and protect the incredible diversity of marine life that inhabits Australia’s oceans,” says Venetia Joscelyne, the CSIRO Marine National Facility team leader, to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “Incredibly, scientists estimate that there are likely more than 1,000 new species waiting to be described from specimens collected on CSIRO RV Investigator voyages over the past ten years,” she adds in the statement. If you want to feel like you’re part of the adventure, you can watch a live stream of the vessel on its journey of discovery. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Seafrog is a colorful skateboarding action game where you are exploring ships and discovering strange monsters as you’re heading home. It is a 2.5D platformer where you can ride a skateboard around giant boats, grinding on pipes and grabbing onto leaky spouts. Everything about this game screams joy and fun. The skateboarding on the wrench, the frog with headphones, the colorful strange monsters that are within these ships; it’s all a delight to see. You even get to watch little cutscenes that give more context to the monsters and moments within the game. This game takes you onto some old, abandoned, leaky boats filled with characters who have taken over. You’ll run into all sorts of oddballs like man-eating chickens, frog fairies, and giant octopuses. There are actually a lot of dangers within these places but you have been left with no choice as you and your trusty USB companion have been lost at sea. After plugging in the USB, you’ll be given a map, some spaces for mods, and a game plan to launch yourself from a cannon to get back to some island. In order to use the cannon, you need to find goal seashells and plug them into the generator. Sometimes, you can even find mods that add more lives or change how your skateboarding works, though you can only hold a limited amount at once. I found that the way you glide about on your skateboard does take some getting use to, but once you have mastered the controls, everything feels like so much fun to do and you’ll want to keep going back to the levels. You can sort of decide where you want to go next, as these ships have a surprising amount of rooms – some even containing various challenges. Many of these boats also need leaks fixed or keys in order to unlock different areas, giving you more to explore. Seafrog is available now on Steam. About The Author

Trawl net bycatch from shrimp fishery, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. (Photo by: Mark Conlin/VW PICS/UIG via ... More Getty Image)Universal Images Group via Getty Images Beneath the placid surface of the global seafood market, a material financial risk is quietly escalating—one rooted deep within the industry's supply chain. It's not climate volatility or ESG scrutiny grabbing the headlines —but the fragile economics of what we’re feeding our farmed fish. A new report from the FAIRR Initiative—an $80 trillion-backed investor network focused on ESG risks in protein production—exposes a growing contradiction at the heart of the global salmon farming industry: a sector that markets itself as sustainable yet increasingly relies on a shrinking, finite resource—wild fish—for its survival. Released ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the report follows a four-year engagement with seven of the world’s largest publicly listed salmon producers and delivers a stark warning: without urgent reform, the industry’s feed supply chain could buckle under its own expansion. These companies represent 58% of global farmed salmon production, with over 1.2 million tonnes produced in 2023. FAIRR’s analysis reveals systemic environmental, regulatory, and financial risks tied to dependence on wild-caught fish, exposing a deep disconnect between sustainability claims and operational reality. Supply Chain Risk from Finite Fish Resources The industry’s dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), both derived from wild-caught fish, is a growing vulnerability. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 90% of global fisheries are already overexploited or at capacity. Yet salmon producers continue to lean heavily on this strained input to support projected production increases of 40% by 2033. FMFO is also used across aquaculture species like sea bass and sea bream, as well as in pet food. In 2023, when Peru cancelled its anchovy fishing season, fish oil prices surged by 107%. Mowi, the world’s largest salmon producer, reported a 70% rise in feed costs between 2021 and 2023 due to that single event. Some companies temporarily switched to algae oil during the price spike, only to revert once fisheries opened—highlighting a reactive approach that favors short-term cost savings over long-term resilience. “We are relying on a finite input to fuel infinite growth projections,” said Laure Boissat, Oceans Programme Manager at FAIRR. “That’s not resilience—it’s a recipe for collapse.” We’re Literally Feeding Fish to Fish Between 2020 and 2024, five of the seven companies in FAIRR’s study increased their absolute use of FMFO made from whole wild fish—by as much as 39%. Despite sustainability claims, only three firms reduced the proportion of FMFO in their feed, and none by more than three percentage points. In response, many companies have turned to fish trimmings—by-products from fish processing—as an alternative. While six producers have increased their use, the supply is inherently limited. One company reported purchasing all available trimmings in its operating region, raising concerns that rising demand could incentivize additional fishing. This exposes a fundamental flaw in the industry’s growth narrative. Farmed salmon production is projected to grow by 40% by 2033, yet fishmeal and fish oil production is forecast to rise by only 9% and 12% respectively over roughly the same period. These numbers are irreconcilable. Without scalable alternatives, or a drastic shift in feed formulation, the industry’s expansion plans appear unsustainable. FAIRR’s report notes that none of the seven companies assessed have set absolute reduction targets for fish-based feed, even as five aim to scale up salmon output. This disconnect exposes investors to long-term risk: if feed supply can't match growth, either costs will skyrocket, margins will shrink, or the environmental impact will intensify. Feed Frenzy: The Domino Effect Across Industries This feed dependency has broader implications. Aquafeed producers face rising costs and raw material uncertainty. The pet food industry, reliant on salmon oil and trimmings, is also vulnerable to volatility. As wild fish availability declines, disruptions in one part of the supply chain can ripple across sectors, amplifying risk. The diversion of edible fish into feed also raises ethical concerns. Over 90% of fish used in FMFO could be eaten by people. Feedback’s Blue Empire report found that in 2020, Norwegian salmon farms used nearly 2 million tonnes of wild-caught fish for feed, including up to 144,000 tonnes harvested off West Africa, enough to feed 2.5 to 4 million people for a year. Novel Feeds: Big Hype, Small Bite Novel ingredients like insect meal, algae oil, and single-cell proteins were once seen as game-changers. Four years later, their use remains limited as challenges abound including high production costs, scalability issues, nutritional limitations, and consumer skepticism. Only three companies have set targets to increase their inclusion, which average just 4%. One aims for 10–15% by 2030—a modest target given the urgent need for action. “In essence, the sector is stalling,” said Boissat. “There’s no silver bullet ingredient on the horizon. What we’re seeing instead is short-term thinking packaged as long-term strategy.” Investors Sound the Alarm FAIRR’s report quantifies a growing financial risk. Feed price volatility, as demonstrated by the Peru example, threatens margins across the sector. That being the case, it’s arguable that the salmon industry’s dependence on wild-caught fish is not just environmentally unsustainable—it’s economically reckless. “As investors, we believe the aquaculture industry must shift towards sustainable feed solutions. Diversifying feed ingredients is not only an environmental imperative, but also a strategic necessity for long-term resilience,” Thekla Swart of FAIRR participant Steyler Ethik Bank said in a statement. Salmon producers often lead the protein sector in disclosure, but FAIRR warns that transparency alone is not enough. “Companies disclose intensity-based metrics, but those don’t show the absolute pressure on fish stocks,” Boissat explained. “This is the gap between reporting and reality—the system is unsustainable even as it appears progressive on paper.” A Fork in the Water: From Carnivores to Mussels? FAIRR’s recommendations are clear. Companies should set absolute reduction rather than efficiency targets for FMFO and invest in scalable alternative feed ingredients—but deeper transformation may be needed. That means shifting away from carnivorous species like salmon toward unfed aquaculture options—such as mussels and oysters—which require no external feed inputs. FAIRR also encourages exploration of plant-based seafood, mirroring moves by the meat industry into alternative proteins. “Fed aquaculture is simply inefficient,” Boissat emphasized. “We must rethink what seafood production looks like in the 21st century.” Ocean Governance on Trial: What the UN Must Confront In Nice FAIRR’s report arrives ahead of the June UN Ocean Conference in Nice, where global leaders will gather to address ocean sustainability. A key issue is the gap between marine protection policy and practice. Many marine protected areas (MPAs) still allow bottom trawling and industrial fishing, undermining conservation goals. “Even in protected waters, the absence of enforceable restrictions allows destructive practices to persist,” said Boissat. “Until regulation catches up with science, these so-called protections offer a false sense of security—for ecosystems and for markets.” Campaigners and investors hope the conference will lead to stronger governance—not just symbolic declarations. Without enforceable protections, risks to marine biodiversity and the industries that depend on it will only grow. Is The Supply Chain Eating Itself? Stakeholder must decide: continue with business as usual, risking biodiversity collapse, food insecurity, and supply chain disruption—or rethink how the aquaculture sector operates. “The industry has been talking about risk and resilience for years,” said Boissat. “But if your entire business model is based on a disappearing input, that’s not resilience. That’s denial.”

The Heart of Democracy update for Helldivers 2 has marked out a new battlefield on Super Earth itself. And it looks like Helldivers are jumping back on to help hold the line against the Illuminate invasion.Earlier this week, the Illuminate officially launched an invasion of Super Earth as part of the Heart of Democracy update in Helldivers 2. After a long build-up involving a mobile black hole, Super Earth has become a zone of conflict, and Helldivers are dropping into various cities to assist with the defense efforts.There are quite a few more Helldivers dropping in now, too. A quick look at SteamDB shows the player count rebounding back up alongside the Heart of Democracy update's drop, currently sitting at a 24-hour peak of just over 163,000 players. It's a number that exceeds the peak of the Omens of Tyranny update, though it's still far off from the release window peaks for Helldivers 2.PlayThat's still a feat for Steam, as developer Arrowhead Game Studios contended with negative ratings and complaints early on in Helldivers 2's PC life, alongside the infamous PSN situation. With recent valleys in the tens of thousands, a lift up to over 150,000 concurrents is certainly a shift worth noting.Over on X/Twitter, Arrowhead CCO Johan Pilestedt posted a few fascinating numbers. First, that this surge might be one of the largest simultaneous returns of players for Helldivers:And second, that around 2.5 million Helldivers have been playing the game every week. It's a pretty staggering number for any live service game, but shows how the community has stayed attached.Over on the Helldivers Discord (via VG247), Arrowhead CEO Shams Jorjani responded to players congratulating the team on the player count surge. "It's all you folks and your amazing support," said Jorjani.If you're eager to dive back in yourself, I can attest to it being a good time to play right now. The new Super Earth battlefields are great fun, and you can even recruit some SEAF helpers to assist in holding back the Illuminate threat. Just be mindful of all the chaos and destruction.Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Researchers have recovered Homo erectus bones from the seafloor, which points to an unknown hominin population hunting on land that is now underwater in Southeast Asia.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here The Illuminate have finally invaded Super Earth, and it’s all hands on deck as Helldivers are ordered to “obliterate” billions of the squids to protect our home. To help in the fight against the army of aliens, SEAF troops are on the battlefield. Helldivers 2 players have immediately fallen in love with and want the SEAF troops to stay post-invasion. While there’s no guarantees this will happen, Arrowhead’s CCO has entertained the possibility of an SEAF moba or stratagem. Helldivers 2 CCO entertains possibility of SEAF troops staying There’s a lot of affection for the SEAF since the release of the Heart of Democracy update on May 20th. On the subreddit, there’s a post titled, “AH can we please keep them after the assault ends,” and, as of writing, it has 9.6K upvotes with nearly 450 comments echoing the sentiment. While nothing is official, Arrowhead CCO, Pilestedt, has entertained the idea of them staying or at least having a role in the future. On X, one user suggested a “new game mode where we play as the SEAF”. Pilestedt responded, “I don’t think that will happen… but maybe something similar to a moba setting where you have to pave the way for SEAF? We’ll have to see”. In another interaction, a user commented, “I really like the SEAF guys, maybe you guys [Arrowhead] could add a stratagem to call in a 6-8 man squad of them via a Pelican or two? Maybe fast rope down, to help reduce landing area issues?”. In response, Pilestedt teased, “We’ll see what happens”. Neither of these replies guarantee a future role for the SEAF post-Super Earth invasion, but at least the idea is being entertained rather than being completely shut down. If the SEAF do disappear once the Illuminate invasion is over, hopefully Arrowhead will be able to implement another role for them, but, if not, at least players will be able to remember the time spent together rebelling against the Illuminate. For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to the best warbonds ranked, along with the best stratagems and best throwables. We have also a guide to the best weapons, and, if you’re coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch of tips and tricks to help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield. Helldivers 2 Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5 Genre(s): Action, Shooter, Third Person 8 VideoGamer Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

An invasion of Super Earth is underway in Helldivers 2's latest update, bringing the once-distant frontlines of conflict close to home. Amid the chaos of the invasion, Helldivers were informed that the Illuminate have razed the neighboring planet of Mars, and players are already eager for some payback over it.In-universe news reports detailed the specifics, declaring that Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. The Helldiver Training Sites on Mars were part of the destruction, and the facility operators who were running the training have perished in defense of the planet.Opening the Galaxy Map in Helldivers 2 right now shows a destroyed, but still present, mass of rock.Mars was, until a recent update, the training facility for Helldivers preparing to take part in the galactic spread of democracy. The sudden switch of tutorial zones already set off alarm bells a week or so ago, but now, the drive was clear: as part of the invasion, the Illuminate have taken something all Helldivers 2 players had a sentimental stake in.The official Helldivers 2 account posted some promotional art to X/Twitter, urging players to "Avenge Mars."The attempt to stir up the hearts and emotions of Helldivers 2 players seems to have worked, too. Already, Helldivers players are leaning into the bit; one posts a GIF from Starship Troopers, referencing Rico's determination to squash the bugs after his hometown is destroyed, and another shares the closed fist meme that's become ubiquitous in record time. Helldivers 2 players will always lean into the universal storytelling.Still, alongside all the kayfabe Helldivers posts, some can't resist having some fun with it. "Hey, the only people who are allowed to kill Helldivers on Mars are Super Earth Drill Instructors!" wrote one user. And references to DOOM and various other media are pretty solid, too.The invasion of Super Earth by Illuminate forces is well underway in Helldivers 2's Heart of Democracy update, which went live today. Players can currently drop onto the planet to defend it against the extraterrestrial squids, and even with some new SEAF back-up, the situation seems chaotic. We'll see how this pans out over the next few Major Orders, but I'm not ruling out a few more gut-punches from Joel and developer Arrowhead Game Studios.Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

News Helldivers 2 Has About 2.5 Million Weekly Players, Says Arrowhead CCO The co-op shooter recently received the Heart of Democracy update, where players fight the invading Illuminate on Super Earth. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 21st, May. 2025 Despite its numerous ups and downs, it’s impressive to see Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 still going strong. Following its latest update, chief creative officer Johan Pilestedt revealed on Twitter that the co-op shooter sees around 2.5 million players weekly. He’s also “super excited” to “see how many more log in with this update.” This refers to Heart of Democracy, a major content drop where the Illuminate attack Super Earth and players must fight on its streets to activate the Planetary Defense Cannons. New weapons and enemies, alongside weapon customization, arrived in last week’s update. Heart of Democracy focuses on the battle, with SEAF troops fighting alongside players (and taking temporary orders). You also have to watch out for civilians or face the consequences. Available for PS5 and PC, Helldivers 2 has sold 15 million copies since launching in February 2024. Where it goes from here is unknown, but CEO Shams Jorjani said support would continue as long as “folks keep playing and buying Super Credits.” Stay tuned for further updates in the meantime. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More Borderlands 4 Publisher:2K Developer:Gearbox Entertainment Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Helldivers 2 Has About 2.5 Million Weekly Players, Says Arrowhead CCO The co-op shooter recently received the Heart of Democracy update, where players fight the invading Illuminate... DOOM: The Dark Ages Reaches 3 Million Players, Biggest Launch in id Software’s History The critically acclaimed first-person shooter has reached this milestone seven times faster than its predecess... Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Brushes of Death Review – Artistic Liberty Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's first DLC is a decent filler - well-voiced and decently long, but filler all the... Stellar Blade Sequel Confirmed by Shift Up, Targeting Launch in 2026 No further details have been revealed, though the developer seemingly moved up the release of Project Witches,... Blades of Fire Review – A Powerful But Rugged Blade An intriguing action RPG with the best forging system in gaming. Avowed Director Leaves Obsidian, Joins Oxenfree Studio Carrie Patel leaves Obsidian after 12 years to join Night School Studio as a game director, though its next pr... View More