PlayStation reverses Helldivers 2 account linking decision after player backlash
This weekend has seen, perhaps, the biggest backlash that Helldivers 2 has seen yet. It’s a big deal given the amount of love the game has felt since its launch, but a huge misstep befell publisher Sony. The company announced that players on the PC version would need to link a PlayStation account to continue playing.
Players felt that that move was a huge step against their privacy and their right to play the game they’d paid for without extra strings attached, and the backlash was whopping, with streamers and fans alike rushing to rate the game poorly on Steam.
And now, it looks like PlayStation has taken notice and tried to do the right thing. Kind of.
PlayStation walks back Helldivers 2 takeover
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PlayStation has revealed that following the backlash from fans that extended from angry tweets to review-bombing, the update that demands players have a PS account to play will not be going ahead.
“Helldivers fans - we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update,” the official PlayStation account says. “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.”
The statement about “still learning” how to produce games for PC is a bit of an understatement, especially considering their actions here - but while fans are relieved they won’t have to be a part of another online service, there’s one loose end that PlayStation hasn’t cleared up.
Helldivers 2 may still be inaccessible to regions without PS Plus
As pointed out by streamer and game developer Pirate Software, there are a number of regions that were completely boxed out of Helldivers 2 as a result of their area not supporting PS Plus - and PlayStation hasn’t yet addressed it. Russian, Kazakhstani, Philippine and Vietnamese players among many others are reported to have their access rescinded to the game with the game simply not being available to purchase over the weekend.
There has been no update yet on if these international players on the list of denied countries will have their access returned, or even their money refunded.
Even though PlayStation is walking the move back, it’s put best by Pirate Software - this is a killing of a Golden Goose on a scale rarely seen. We'll update this story if Sony adds anything further.
