PlayStation’s Helldiverse 2 reversed course on the PSN account requirement, reversing the unpopular policy after a weekend-long backlash that included tens of thousands of negative reviews, some of which spread to Sony’s other Steam games.
Helldivers fans — we’ve asked for your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update required new players and existing players to link a Steam and PlayStation Network account starting May 30, which will not carry forward.
We still…
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024
“Helldivers fans – we’ve asked for your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update requires Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and current players from May 30th, and this will not move forward,” PlayStation wrote on its official account.
“We’re still learning what’s best for PC players, and your feedback is valuable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldiverse 2, and we’ll keep you updated on future plans.”
PlayStation’s decision means that Helldiverse 2 players on Steam will not need to connect a PSN account to play. Earlier this week the infamous policy of new players facing a forced login, Helldiverse 2 was listed in 177 countries. At one point, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt, clearly frustrated by the controversy, posted, “Yesterday’s sunshine was replaced by a dull drizzle and shivering wind, making me think about how I spent those rare few moments when all was well. .”
Pilestedt said Sunday that Arrowhead was “talking about solutions” with PlayStation, which led to the decision not to move forward with the policy. Pilestedt shed more light on the behind-the-scenes decision-making, admitting that it was his decision to initially disable account linking so players could play the game.
I have a stake. I’m not innocent in all of this – it was my decision to disable account linking at the start so players could play the game. I’m not sure players are aware of the need, and we’re not talking about it enough.
6 months ago we knew…
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024
“I’m not sure the players are aware of the requirement, and we’re not talking about it enough,” he wrote, adding that he’s “not innocent” of the opposition. “We knew about 6 months before launch that it would be mandatory for online PS titles.”
As he has been throughout Helldivers 2’s release, Pilestedt has been a vocal presence on social media, apologizing to fans at various points and saying he “just wants to make a good game.” The latest reviews on Steam for Helldiverse 2 are currently “overwhelmingly negative,” dropping it as an overall mixed bag after a wave of review blasts that included more than 200,000 negative reviews.
Following PlayStation’s announcement, fans expressed hope that there would be no need for future games. Others urged players not to vent their anger at Arrowhead.
“They ended up in the crosshairs for this, it’s not fair to them because they’re doing what they’re contractually obligated to do,” one fan wrote.
PlayStation’s decision means the focus will begin to return to the game itself, which has been one of the most popular games of 2024 thanks to its unique live-action storytelling. Its breakthrough success led to sales of 8 million units as of March 2024.
Kate Bailey is IGN’s news director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Got a tip? DM her at @the_katbot.
