A new Helldivers 2 patch is here and will hopefully put the whole PlayStation Network account linking debacle to bed once and for all, as it's now been added as an explicitly "optional" setting.
06.05.2024 - 05:01 / thegamer.com / Johan Pilestedt / Sony
Glory to Democracy! Sony's controversial decision to make Helldivers 2players on Steam link their accounts to PSN has been reversed. The decision was met with a lot of backlash from players, which seems to have pressured Sony to cancel the update.
This was announced via a Tweet by the official PlayStation handle which mentioned that the update which was scheduled for May 6 has been cancelled after a wave of negative feedback by players. Players resorted to review-bombing the game on Steam, resulting in one of the most acclaimed launches of the year dropping to a Mostly Negative score.
"Helldivers fans -- we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.
We’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we’ll keep you updated on future plans."
This marks a major win for the Helldivers 2 community, which saw this move as a deliberate attempt by Sony to piggy-back off the game's success and boost sign-ups for PlayStation Network. Things had gotten so out of hand because of this that Steam made Helldivers 2 unavailable for purchase in 117 countries, affecting a major part of the player base.
Before the decision was reversed, Arrowhead creative director and CEO, Johan Pilestedt took to Twitter to address the game's removal from those countries. Responding to a fan that asked what they should do now that the game is unavailable, Pilestedt helplessly said "I don't know."
It was evident that the decision was out of Arrowhead's hands and came directly from Sony. However, with the update cancelled, it will probably be a matter of time until the game returns to Steam in the affected countries.
A new Helldivers 2 patch is here and will hopefully put the whole PlayStation Network account linking debacle to bed once and for all, as it's now been added as an explicitly "optional" setting.
Helldivers 2 has kicked off its newest Premium Warbond. Titled Polar Patriots, the new Warbond brings with it a host of new weapons, armours, boosters, and cosmetics. Interestingly, the Polar Patriots Warbond was released after Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johann Pilestedt asked the game’s community whether it should be released rather than delayed.
Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has released the Polar Patriots Premium Warbond as planned after the boss of the studio polled fans on whether it should go ahead so soon after what he called “negative sentiment” over the game’s PlayStation Network account linking.
Helldivers 2 Community Manager 'Spitz' is seemingly no longer with Arrowhead Game Studios following outings he did over the now-canceled mandatory PSN account linking update.
Helldivers 2 developers are reportedly working on a new cape inspired by the account-linking controversy. While the community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the worst of the fiasco has passed, some fans have additionally taken to sharing designs for costume accessories inspired by Helldivers 2's Steam page. Some of these designs even managed to reach the offices of developer Arrowhead Game Studios and, if one executive is to be believed, will soon hit live servers as an official cosmetic.
Being a Helldivers 2 fan has been an absolute rollercoaster over this past weekend, with the game being the most loved live service game out there, to the most hated, and back again over the course of just a few days. Most of you will know that this was down to Sony's sudden implementation of its PSN account system, requiring Helldivers 2 players on Steam to sign up for the PlayStation Network if they want to continue playing.
Helldivers 2 has been a huge hit this yea,r with a consistent player base since its launch in February and a peak of over 450,000 players. Fighting for Super Earth, players have been waging war against monstrous insects and deadly robots and laying down their lives for democracy. But the game’s reputation took a hit recently when it was announced that PC players would have to register for a PlayStation Network account to continue playing the game — a move that would have left players in parts of the world with no PSN support high and dry.
It’s been a tumultuous few days for Helldivers 2, as one of this year’s most beloved runaway hits managed to seemingly undo all of its goodwill and earn the ire of thousands of players in the blink of an eye.
After the backlash and subsequent U-turn on Helldivers 2 requiring players to link their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account, the next PlayStation flagship headed to PC has sought to reassure players that you won’t need a PSN account to play its single-player campaign. Multiplayer’s a different case, though.
In response to the recent negativity surrounding Helldivers 2 and PlayStation Network account requirements, Sucker Punch issued a statement in an attempt to clarify its use in the upcoming PC version of Ghost of Tsushima. It's been a rough few days for Arrowhead Game Studios, who took the brunt of the controversy surrounding a recent announcement that would require Helldivers 2 players to link to a PSN account. The backlash was so severe that Helldivers 2 was actively review bombed on Steam, the refund policy was changed, and ultimately, Sony issued a statement abandoning its PSN plans.
Sony has reversed a decision that would have required Helldivers 2 players to link their Steam accounts to PlayStation Network accounts.
PlayStation has delivered a U-turn and scrapped its plans to require Helldivers 2 players on Steam to sign in with a PlayStation Network account.