The recent controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 and its mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account login requirement for PC players has taken an unexpected turn.
After facing immense backlash from the community, Sony has reversed course, abandoning the requirement altogether.
Let’s delve into the situation, exploring the initial announcement, the community’s reaction, and Sony’s eventual decision to back down.
How Sony did annoy the Helldivers 2 community?
Helldivers 2, the sequel to the popular cooperative top-down shooter, launched on PC in early April 2024. Initially, logging into a PSN account was entirely optional for PC players. This approach aligned with the standard practice for most PlayStation Studios titles released on PC, such as Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone.
However, just two weeks after launch, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a significant change. In a statement released on their website, SIE declared that linking a PSN account would become mandatory for all Helldivers 2 players on PC. The reasoning behind this decision was attributed to “technical issues” encountered during the game’s launch. According to SIE, the initial grace period allowing optional login was necessary to address these technical hurdles.
With the issues presumably resolved, SIE aimed to enforce the mandatory login requirement through a phased rollout, culminating in a deadline for existing players in early June.
Helldivers 2 is now at 84,000 negative reviews to 252 positive as outrage grows over forced PSN account integration
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A perfect storm of frustration
The announcement sparked immediate outrage among the Helldivers 2 PC community. Players expressed their disapproval across various online platforms, citing several concerns. A significant point of contention was the impact on players residing in regions where PSN services are unavailable. With PSN being geographically restricted, forcing a login requirement would essentially lock out players from these areas, preventing them from accessing a game they had already purchased.
Additionally, some players questioned the legitimacy of the “technical issues” explanation, particularly considering the smooth launch and initial optional login system. The perceived lack of transparency further fueled the community’s frustration.
Sony reverses course
The negative response from the community appeared to have a significant impact on Sony’s decision-making.
In a surprising turn of events, less than a week after the initial announcement regarding mandatory login, SIE issued another statement. This time, they acknowledged the concerns raised by the community and announced the cancellation of the mandatory PSN account login requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC. PlayStation’s X account has shared the following post to announce that they have reversed the mandatory login requirement change:
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…
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024
While the specific details surrounding the reversal remain undisclosed, it’s clear that the overwhelmingly negative feedback played a crucial role in Sony’s change of heart.
Featured image credit: Helldivers 2/Steam
