Summary
Helldivers 2developers are reportedly holding internal discussions regarding its controversial PlayStation Network account linking requirements for Steam players. TheHelldivers 2community was caught in a fiery meltdown after Arrowhead Game Studios announced plans to enforce its account-linking measures months after the game was released, with players quickly flooding online forums and servers demanding an explanation from both the developers and publisher.
In contrast to the overwhelmingly positive reception it received in the weeks following its February launch,Helldivers 2has seen unprecedented levels of contempt in recent days from its thousands of players, who were outraged by its plans to begin enforcing a rule stipulating that PC users will be required to link their Steam account to PSN after a month-long grace period. Many fans have protested against this decision, claiming the game’s End-User License Agreement for Steam contained no clear mention of a PSN requirement. They additionally pointed out that PSN was only available in 69 countries and that, for players residing outside these territories, simplycreating an account is already violating PSN’s Terms of Service, which is a bannable offense.
The public backlash was so intense that it inevitably caught the attention of the developers. Spitz, theHelldivers 2Discord server community manager, posted an update claiming Arrowhead Game Studios was in the process of hosting internal discussions regarding the overwhelmingly negative reception of theSteam and PSN account linking requirement. While Spitz could not reveal specific details regarding the talks, he claimed developers were looking for alternatives, and that notably, if a solution was not found for countries without access to PSN, account linking would at the very least not be made a requirement for players within those regions.
Helldivers 2 Developers are Negotiating With Sony
Spitz additionally clarified that the changes to the account-linking requirements originated from Sony rather than Arrowhead Game Studios and that the developers had no intention of forcing players into breaking PSN’s ToS. He also encouraged users to make their opinions heard by postingnegative reviews toHelldivers 2’s store page and applying for refunds en masse, which Spitz claimed gave the studio a better chance at conducting successful negotiations with Sony.
WhileHelldivers 2has reached noteworthy milestonesin the time since its release, the recent storm of controversy is a good reminder that hasty decisions can turn public opinion at the drop of a hat even for the most beloved titles. With that said,Helldivers 2players can at least take heart in knowing that Arrowhead Game Studios heard their voices and are now doing their best to find a palatable compromise.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
