Players got pretty much confused by the Sony management’s decisions to oblige PC players to link their game accounts to PSN, which led to numerous account bans in the regions with no access to PSN. The tumultuous episode surrounding Helldivers 2 has come to a definitive close. Following a series of controversies and account suspensions, Sony has retracted the requirement for Steam users to associate their accounts with PSN.
“Helldivers fans, we have heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The update scheduled for May 6th, which would have required new players, as well as existing players from May 30th, to link their Steam and PlayStation Network accounts, will not be implemented. We are still exploring what is best for PC players, and your feedback is invaluable. Thank you again for your ongoing support of Helldivers 2, and we will keep you updated on plans.” – Sony
Let’s delve into the events that unfolded in the Helldivers 2 universe this week and examine how the players successfully defended their privilege to continue being recognized as a “Super Citizen.”
The developers of Helldivers 2 have announced that soon PC players will have to create a PlayStation Network account. According to the studio, an account was not mandatory due to technical difficulties during the release, but the rules will change later this month.
Arrowhead Game Studios assured that linking to the PlayStation Network will allow them to block dishonest Helldivers. The mandatory registration will begin on May 6th.
The following announcement left all the citizens of Super Earth in a state of shock:
“In light of this, starting from May 6th, all new Helldivers 2 players on Steam will be required to link their Steam account with a PlayStation Network account. Existing Steam players will begin to see a mandatory sign-in form from May 30th and need to link their Steam and PlayStation Network accounts by June 4th. You can easily and freely create a PlayStation Network account.” – Helldivers 2
After such a shock, the Steam version of Helldivers 2 drowned in negative reviews after demands to create a PSN account. Many Steam users were outraged by Arrowhead’s requirement, so they decided to flood the game with negative reviews.
At the time of writing this note, the game had “very positive” reviews, but just today the number of negative reviews exceeded 3,000. Gamers write that they feel deceived because, after a few months, they no longer have the option to opt out and process a refund. It was also noted online that not all countries have access to PSN, and choosing another country during registration could lead to a block.
As expected, the accounts of some users began to be blocked when they attempted to access Helldivers 2 from a region where the PlayStation Network is not supported. Changing the country via third-party services does not help.
The first ban was issued to a player from China. The gamer linked their Steam account to PSN using a region change, but was still blocked in the game for “violating the user agreement”.
Another surprise was the game’s disappearance from the Steam store in over 170 countries.
Owners of PlayStation consoles on Reddit have shown solidarity with PC gamers by initiating a campaign to reduce the rating of Helldivers 2 in the PlayStation Store. Currently, it stands at 4.5 stars out of 5. In a notable move, Arrowhead’s representatives openly encouraged players to post negative reviews. A community manager from the studio stated in the official Discord channel that such actions from players could strengthen their position in discussions with Sony, “Players expressing dissatisfaction through reviews and refunds give us a better chance of success in negotiations with Sony.”
“Players making their displeasure known through reviews, refunds etc gives us more pull in the discussions with Sony. They don’t read our Discord. It hurts to see the game’s popularity suffer in ratings, but discussions are ongoing and our team is on the side of the players in this fight. It’s unrealistic to expect people to make PSN accounts in different regions to get past the account linking requirement. We’re aware of that. Discussions are ongoing.” – Arrowhead Game Studios
The head of Arrowhead Studio and the creative director of Helldivers 2, Johan Pilestedt, stated that the developers were aware of the necessity to create a PlayStation Network account six months before the game’s release.
As the CEO of the studio explained on social media, he decided to disable the account linking at the start of Helldivers 2:
“We decided to disable the account linking at launch so that players could play the game. We did not guarantee that players were aware of this requirement, and we did not talk about it enough. About six months before the launch, we knew that it would be mandatory for PS network games.”
Despite the expectation that the adverse news and the community’s evident discontent would lead to a decline in online activity, Helldivers 2 player count has only experienced a minor dip. Such numbers could be considered within the margin of error.
Amidst the scandal surrounding Helldivers 2, players discovered that Sony had changed the requirements for having a PlayStation Network account for PC games. In 2022, the company stated that account linking would not be necessary.
Previously, the PSN support page stated that signing into an account was not mandatory for PlayStation games on a computer. However, the requirement was recently updated to the following: “For some PlayStation games, signing in and linking to a PSN account may be required.”
In the end, the Helldivers 2 community emerged victorious in their standoff against Sony. This was not just a win for the players, but a landmark moment for consumer rights in the digital age. The collective voice of the community, amplified through social media and forums, proved to be a force capable of swaying a corporate giant.
The initial mandate from Sony, which would have restricted access to Helldivers 2 unless players linked their Steam accounts to PSN, was met with a fierce backlash. The community’s response was swift and decisive, leading to a flood of negative reviews and a call for solidarity that even crossed platform boundaries.
Helldivers 2 Sony backtrack PSN retraction of the update is a testament to the power of a united gaming community. It serves as a reminder that when players stand together, they can protect their rights and shape the future of gaming. This incident has set a precedent that will likely influence how game companies engage with their audiences and implement policies in the future.
The Helldivers 2 players’ struggle and triumph have sent a clear message: the gaming community is attentive, passionate, and, above all, resilient. They have defended their title as “Super Citizens” not just in the game, but in the real world, ensuring that the spirit of Helldivers 2 remains unchained and accessible to all.
For Super Earth and for the freedom to play without unwarranted constraints, the Helldivers 2 players’ victory over Sony will be remembered as a pivotal moment in gaming history.
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