An update on Helldivers 2 official Steam page on May 3, 2024, mentioned that the grace period for linking the PlayStation Network account to the Steam account was ending on May 6th. According to the announcement, the grace period was given because of the technical issues the game experienced at launch.
“Account linking plays a critical role in protecting our players and upholding the values of safety and security provided on PlayStation and PlayStation Studios games,” Sony explained in the announcement. “This is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behavior. It also allows those players that have been banned the right to appeal.”
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“As such, as of May 6th, all new HELLDIVERS 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account. Current players on Steam will start to see the mandatory login from May 30th and will be required to have linked a Steam and PlayStation Network account by June 4th. PlayStation Network accounts are free and easy to set up using this link https://www.playstation.com/support/account/create-account-for-psn/.”
Although Sony acknowledged the inconvenience the decision would cause players, they said it was a necessary step that would help them to build the community of Helldivers 2 players. Well, Helldivers 2 players have responded, and it is not looking good.
Helldivers bombarded with negative reviews
Following Sony’s announcement, the game has been bombarded with negative reviews which has plunged the game’s earlier “Mostly Positive” review to “Mixed”. Since the announcement, around 100,000 new “Mostly Negative” reviews have been left on the game. The ensuing drama has forced a response from Arrowhead Games CEO Johan Pilestedt.
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“Ouch, right in the review score,” Pilestedt posted on X. “Well, I guess it’s warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience. I just want to make great games!”
Further complicating issues, within 24 hours after the Steam announcement, Sony also changed the wording on its PSN linking from “optional” to “some PlayStation games may require you sign in to an account for PSN”. To find the details of how to link your PSN to PC, check here.
Players are probably angry because they were not aware of the mandatory linking before purchasing the game. Also, it means some players who have purchased the game may be locked out if PSN is not available in their country.
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PlayStation Network is currently available in 69 countries while Steam is available globally. Also, Sony’s terms of service frown against changing your country using a VPN—which would have been a way around for players who have found themselves caught in the middle of the drama.
Arrowhead appears to be in the dark about the decision, just like every other Helldivers 2 player. On Discord, Helldivers 2 community manager, Twinbeard, said, “First of all, it’s Sony’s decision, not ours. Secondly, we don’t have all the details about region-related issues yet. We’re chasing Sony to get more info.”
