Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind Dead by Daylight, has revealed Exterminauts, a cooperative shooter that bears a strong resemblance to the breakout hit Helldivers 2. The game, showcased at Gamescom 2026, blends third-person action with a satirical corporate setting, tasking players with completing contracts for various mega corporations.
Where Helldivers 2 tasks players with defending Super Earth from alien threats, Exterminauts focuses on mining a vital resource called polymorphic plasma on the planet Tian. Human operations have agitated the local wildlife, leading mega corporations to deploy "exterminauts" – expendable employees acting as exterminators, repairmen, and first responders – to manage the ongoing aggression. Players in Exterminauts are positioned as employees rather than soldiers.
During a hands-on demonstration at Gamescom, a round of Exterminauts was described as an "absolute blast." Players navigated objectives, engaging hordes of alien creatures with a variety of weapons and abilities. One notable ability demonstrated was a grenade functioning as a localized black hole, drawing in nearby enemies, while a charged overdrive weapon, powered by polymorphic plasma, could unleash a significant energy blast. Overcharging this weapon carries the risk of self-detonation.
Developers at Behaviour Interactive characterized the gameplay experience as "controlled chaos," a phrase that encapsulates the feeling of intense action that remains within the bounds of the game's design. While the similarities to Helldivers 2 are evident, the presentation suggested Exterminauts is not a mere imitation but a distinct take on the formula.
Exterminauts is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. A specific release date has not yet been announced.