Sorry, everyone, sex is temporarily banned in Helldivers 2 because you failed the major order, though some of your fellow soldiers are getting special treatment

An image of a post-coitus scene from Starship Troopers, crossed out with a giant red X, with the Super Earth spokesperson from Helldivers 2 screaming sweet liberty in front of all of it.

(Image credit: TriStar Pictures / Arrowhead Games)

It's just another normal day in Helldivers 2. Players, regrettably, appear to have failed the major order to liberate Fori Prime and Zagon Prime. While the galactic map shows Fori Prime as safe and sound, Zagon Prime is regrettably at zero percent liberation. We lost, folks. As a consequence of our collective inability to manage our democracy at acceptable levels, Arrowhead Games has hit players with the worst punishment of all.

A "major order failed" screen on Helldivers 2, forbidding the application of procreation permits. — (Image credit: Arrowhead Games)

"The expansion of our citizens to new planets will be reduced in-line with the reduction of expected Element 710 to be produced," the major order failed dispatch reads. "Further procreation applications will be denied until further notice." In case you're wondering what a procreation application is, patriots have to fill in a C-01 permit before any action that could "result in a child", as per one helpful loading screen tip.

So yeah, you're not allowed to have sex any more. But your fellow soldier? They could be getting special treatment. A handful of players have reported that they've received a conflicting "mission succeeded" statement, without the attached carnal punishment.

Comment from r/Helldivers

Uhh... Joel? from r/Helldivers

Personally, I think this is all dissident propaganda designed to divide us. The enemy is counting on you flying into a jealous rage and dropping a 500kg bomb onto your fellow soldier, but I cannot emphasise enough: resist the urge. It might be funny, but it's exactly what the fascist bugs want.

Besides, I do want to point out the obvious loophole in this punishment: there's lots you can do with your fellow divers that can't result in a child. I'm just saying, if you're struggling in the fight for liberty, you don't have to fill out a C-01 permit for someone with the same loadout as you to help you fire your autocannon. Wink.

As for the new major order, four Terminid planets need to be under our control in just over three days: Fori Prime, Estanu, the fire-tornado filled Hellmire, and Crimsica. Your reward? 35 medals, and hopefully the ability to make babies once more.

Harvey's history with games started when he first begged his parents for a World of Warcraft subscription aged 12, though he's since been cursed with Final Fantasy 14-brain and a huge crush on G'raha Tia. He made his start as a freelancer, writing for websites like Techradar, The Escapist, Dicebreaker, The Gamer, Into the Spine—and of course, PC Gamer. He'll sink his teeth into anything that looks interesting, though he has a soft spot for RPGs, soulslikes, roguelikes, deckbuilders, MMOs, and weird indie titles. He also plays a shelf load of TTRPGs in his offline time. Don't ask him what his favourite system is, he has too many.