Background

In a surprising turn of events, the community manager of Helldivers 2, a highly popular video game developed by Arrowhead Studios, claimed to have been fired after encouraging players to leave negative reviews on the game’s Steam page. This action followed Sony’s initial decision to make PlayStation Network account linking mandatory for PC players. As the controversy escalated, the repercussions were significant for both the community manager and the game’s developers.

The Fallout

The decision by Sony to enforce account linking between Helldivers 2 and players’ PlayStation Network accounts resulted in a massive wave of backlash, directed both at Sony and Arrowhead Studios. In an attempt to reverse the decision, the community manager, known as Spitz, actively encouraged players to voice their concerns, with the belief that a large influx of negative reviews would provide the developers with more leverage in discussions with Sony.

Consequently, a staggering 200,000 negative reviews were slapped onto Helldivers 2’s Steam page shortly after Sony’s original announcement. This incredible response ultimately led to Sony retracting their decision, acknowledging the power and determination of the game’s community. Unfortunately, the fight for the community manager did not end on a positive note.

The Unfortunate Outcome

Spitz, who had been passionately representing the community, revealed on the official Helldivers 2 Discord channel that they are no longer associated with Arrowhead Studios. It became evident that their departure was not amicable. Spitz expressed regret, acknowledging the risks taken by advocating for refund requests and negative reviews. However, they expressed pride in their role in representing the community’s interest in the face of Sony’s decision.

Despite their disappointment, Spitz expressed continued admiration for Arrowhead Studios, their favorite game development studio, and expressed a desire to work with them in the future. However, Spitz recognized that such a decision was not within their control, further emphasizing the importance of not causing any trouble on their behalf.

Without the complete details of the situation, it is difficult to discern the exact reasons behind Spitz’s dismissal. It is reasonable to attribute their actions in encouraging negative reviews as a contributing factor. However, their actions, though controversial, were driven by a genuine desire to serve the community’s interests and foster a dialogue with Sony on behalf of the studio and players.

Awaiting Further Details

We have reached out to Arrowhead Studios to gather their perspective and official comment on the matter. Once we obtain a response, we will update this article accordingly. It is crucial to have a complete understanding of the situation, as it carries both lessons and implications for community managers and studios at large, emphasizing the delicate balance these professionals face when advocating for players.

The Resilience of the Helldivers 2 Community

Moreover, amidst the controversial turn of events, the Helldivers 2 community continues to show their determination and support for the game and its developers. Players are now requesting the developers to commemorate the PlayStation Network account linking controversy by immortalizing it as an in-game cape. This demonstration of loyalty and camaraderie underlines the enduring spirit of the community even in challenging times.