Helldivers 2 Faces Backlash as PlayStation Network Linking Requirement Causes Negative Steam Reviews
Earlier this week, Helldivers 2 players on PC were informed that they would soon be required to link their Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. The result was an influx of 100,000 adverse reviews on Steam within just two days.
With players expressing their dissent, the game’s developers at Arrowhead Studios have attempted to address the situation, emphasizing their alignment with the players’ concerns.
Developer’s Apology
Arrowhead Game Studio’s CEO and Creative Director, Johan Pilestedt, expressed remorse on Twitter, stating, “Ouch, right in the review score. Well, I guess it’s warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain your trust by providing a continued great game experience. I just want to make great games!”
Initially, before Pilestedt made this statement, Helldivers 2 had a “Mostly Positive” user review rating on Steam, with a “Mixed” rating based on reviews from the past two weeks. However, at the time of writing this article, the overall rating had shifted to “Mixed,” indicating only 59% positive reviews, with the latest reviews categorized as “Mostly Negative.”
Internal Discussions and Developer Response
The mandatory linking change has sparked internal discussions within Arrowhead, prompting their development teams to express uniform disagreement with the decision. Seeking better alternatives, the studio confirmed their commitment to finding a solution that would address the negative sentiments raised by the community.
Additionally, Arrowhead community manager, Spitz, conveyed on the Helldivers Discord (as shared by Reddit user Navar4477) that the decision and announcement regarding the linking requirement were made by Sony, not by Arrowhead themselves.
Player Concerns and Objections
Multiple objections have been raised by players in response to the PSN account linking requirement. Concerns range from inconveniences caused by the change to broader worries regarding data collection and privacy. For players in regions without access to PSN coverage, the requirement is of particular concern. Arrowhead had suggested that players from such regions should sign up for a PSN account in a different region. However, this solution would be in violation of Sony’s terms of service.
Spitz assured players that if a suitable alternative is not provided for those in regions without PSN coverage, the mandatory requirement would be exempted for such individuals, avoiding any situation where players have to compromise on either breaking Sony’s terms of service or not being able to play the game.
Publishing and Success of Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2, a Sony-published game developed by a third-party studio, has seen significant success on both PC and PlayStation platforms. The simultaneous cross-platform release has contributed to this achievement. According to reports, it is currently the seventh highest-grossing game ever published by Sony, with over 50% of its sales on PC.
Unfortunately, players’ overall experience with Helldivers 2 has been tarnished due to an unnecessary requirement that negatively impacted the game’s rating and attracted dissatisfaction among the player base.
