{"id":44268,"date":"2024-05-06T15:47:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/06\/sony-walks-back-helldivers-2-psn-account-linking-requirement-on-steam\/"},"modified":"2024-05-06T15:47:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T15:47:49","slug":"sony-walks-back-helldivers-2-psn-account-linking-requirement-on-steam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/06\/sony-walks-back-helldivers-2-psn-account-linking-requirement-on-steam\/","title":{"rendered":"Sony Walks Back Helldivers 2 PSN Account Linking Requirement on Steam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sony<\/a> has walked back on its decision that mandated new and existing Helldivers 2<\/a> players on Steam<\/a> to link their PlayStation Network<\/a> accounts to Valve’s service after severe backlash over the weekend. On Friday, Sony had announced that users would need to link their Steam account to their PSN<\/a> account to continue playing Helldivers 2. The PlayStation<\/a> parent and Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios<\/a> received widespread criticism over the move, leading to the game being review bombed on Steam.<\/p>\n

In its latest update, Sony said that it would \u201cnot be moving forward\u201d with the new requirement. \u201cHelldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update,\u201d a post from the PlayStation handle on X said Monday morning. \u201cThe May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we’ll keep you updated on future plans,\u201d the post added.<\/p>\n

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Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.<\/p>\n

We’re still\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Sony’s decision was met with widespread backlash from Helldivers players on PC<\/a>. Over the weekend, the online co-op shooter received thousands of negative reviews, plummeting the game’s overall score. The recent reviews<\/a> for Helldivers 2 on Steam stand at \u2018Mostly Negative,’ while overall reviews are now \u2018Mixed’. The game was also pulled<\/a> from Steam in over 150 countries, where PSN is not officially available, with the Valve storefront issuing refunds to players.<\/p>\n

Helldivers 2 developers Arrowhead Game Studios reached out to fans over the weekend and said that it was working on reaching a solution with publisher Sony. \u201cWe are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community – but I don’t have the final say,\u201d Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilstedt posted on X Sunday.<\/p>\n

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Is this the moment to tweet “What? You guys don’t have phones?” \ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab<\/p>\n

On serious note: We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community – but I don’t have the final\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

It seems Sony have read the room and responded to the backlash. The PSN account linking requirement is being dropped, but the decision has ended up damaging all the goodwill Helldivers 2 has accumulated since its release.<\/p>\n

The online shooter was released on PS5<\/a> and PC in February and was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. Helldivers 2 quickly became a phenomenon on PC especially, climbing the charts to emerge as one of the most played games on Steam<\/a> globally, even as the game battled technical issues.<\/p>\n

Since its release, Arrowhead has issued numerous updates and bug fixes, in addition to regularly releasing new content as the game continues to retain a strong player base. On Monday, Pilstedt thanked<\/a> PlayStation for listening to the community and reversing the decision quickly. \u201cFirstly, I am impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 community and your ability to collaborate,\u201d he said. \u201cSecondly I want to thank our partners and friends at @PlayStation for quickly and effectively making the decision to leave PSN linking optional,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n

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