Following its release, Helldivers 2 quickly became one of the year’s best-selling video games. However, the game’s success has been overshadowed by the recent controversy surrounding its PlayStation Network sign-in requirement. On May 6th, users were given a deadline to link their PSN accounts to their Steam accounts in order to continue playing Helldivers 2. This requirement was met with widespread backlash from PC players who were not aware of the requirement and did not have access to PSN.
The negative backlash was swift and severe, with many players taking to online forums and review sites to express their dissatisfaction. As a result, Helldivers 2’s Steam reviews have plummeted, with over 50% of users giving the game a negative review. The game’s status on Steam has also been downgraded to “Mixed.”
In response to the backlash, Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt has stated that the studio is working on solutions for players who are unable to link their PSN accounts. Pilestedt has acknowledged that the requirement was not clearly communicated to players and has taken responsibility for the situation.
However, the controversy has also highlighted tensions between Arrowhead Game Studios and Sony, the parent company of PlayStation. Pilestedt has stated that the decision to require PSN accounts was made by Sony, and that Arrowhead Game Studios does not have control over the sale of the game on Steam.
As the controversy continues, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Helldivers 2. Arrowhead Game Studios has expressed a desire to resolve the issue and restore access to the game for all players. However, it is unclear whether Sony will be willing to make changes to its PSN sign-in requirement.
In the meantime, players who are unable to link their PSN accounts will have to wait and see if a solution can be found. The controversy has cast a shadow over the release of Helldivers 2, and it remains to be seen whether the game will be able to recover from the negative backlash.
