Sony Reverses PlayStation Network Account Requirement for "Helldivers 2" on Steam After Community Backlash

Sony PlayStation has reversed its decision to require players of "Helldivers 2" on Steam to log in with a PlayStation Network (PSN) account, a move originally announced last Friday. The requirement, which was briefly implemented at the game's launch, was met with severe technical issues due to the game's unexpected early success, prompting Sony to temporarily remove it.

Months later, many consumers who purchased "Helldivers 2" were unaware of this requirement—due to minimal disclosure on the game's page. The announcement of its reinstatement sparked surprise and significant backlash, as it posed major accessibility issues. PSN's unavailability in large parts of the world meant many players would be locked out from accessing the game.

The backlash was swift and fierce. Within less than 48 hours, the game received over 100,000 negative reviews on Steam, effectively 'review bombing' it in protest. The outcry extended to social media and forums like Reddit. In response, Steam withdrew the title from sale in over 150 countries where PSN is not accessible and began offering refunds.

Responding to the uproar, Sony announced on its official X account that it would not proceed with the PSN account requirement. The update, intended for May 6 to mandate account linking for new and current players from May 30, was cancelled.

"We’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable," the PlayStation team stated, expressing gratitude for the community's support and promising updates on future plans.

Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead, the game's developer, praised the community's response and the swift action by PlayStation to make account linking optional. "We together want to set a new standard for what a live game is, and how developers and community can support each other to create the best game experiences," said Pilestedt.

Following the reversal, the tide of Steam reviews has begun to turn, with negative reviews dropping to 52% from a previous high of 95-98%. Although "Helldivers 2" remains unavailable in the markets where it was pulled, it is expected that access will soon be restored.

In related news, Sucker Punch Studios announced that the upcoming PC version of "Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut," set to launch on May 16, will not require a PSN account for any features, including the single-player campaign, Legends online multiplayer mode, or the PlayStation overlay. This decision likely comes as part of a broader reassessment of Sony's strategy in response to community feedback.

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Source: Dark Horizons

Photo Credit: Arrowhead

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