The development studio behind Helldivers 2 announced a few days ago that a PSN account will be required in the future to play the popular online hit. This requirement was also to be implemented for players experiencing the game exclusively on Steam. After a massive backlash, the community has now achieved a victory.
Why does the community of Helldivers 2 get to celebrate a victory? The responsible parties at Arrowhead and PlayStation announced today, May 6, 2024, that due to massive player feedback, there will not be a requirement for a PlayStation Network account.
In the announcement on X, it states: “Helldivers fans – we have heard your feedback regarding the account linking update for Helldivers 2. The update from May 6, which would have made linking Steam and PlayStation Network accounts necessary for new players and for current players starting from May 30, will not be carried out.
We are still figuring out what is best for PC players, and your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you once again for your continued support of Helldivers 2, and we will keep you updated on future plans.”
You can confidently dive back into the fight for democracy and enjoy the trailers for Helldivers 2 – for example, this one:
The trust is gone for now
How is the community reacting to this announcement? Many fans of Helldivers 2 are now of course happy that they were able to eliminate this unwanted PSN requirement through their feedback. WaR Jay writes on X: “This is an absolutely insane victory.”
What stands out in many comments: A significant portion of the players is defending the developers at Arrowhead and holding the Sony decision-makers responsible. Ethan Price writes on X: “Fans and devs have won … maybe they will listen to the devs next time … obviously Arrowhead is in tune with gamers …”
Pirate Software explains, looking at the publisher (via X): “While this is a victory for the players, you [Note from the editor: Sony] have left a lasting stain on your brand as a publisher. Many people have little reason to trust Sony in the future. It is never the right decision to shift the business before understanding the player base.”
What is behind the emotional reaction of the players? Helldivers 2 came out almost out of nowhere and, despite initial server problems, has become one of the first highlights of the gaming year 2024 since its release on February 8, 2024.
The fast-paced third-person shooter action is fun, and the omnipresent propaganda satire in the style of Starship Troopers fits like a glove. Furthermore, the developers have so far managed brilliantly to link the service model entertainingly with the story and upcoming events through social media.
The recent announcement about the upcoming PSN requirement did not fit at all with the previous feel-good and success story of Helldivers 2. A so-called review bombing was the result: Helldivers 2 receives thousands of negative reviews on Steam: Today only 10% are positive
