The initially well-received Helldivers 2 received a “mixed” review on Steam after being bombarded with more than 100,000 “mostly negative” reviews from PC gamers who were unhappy about logging into Sony’s PlayStation Network to continue playing.
Developer Arrowhead said this link requirement was made optional when the game was released in early February due to technical issues. However, the initial “grace period” for Helldivers 2 players on Steam is now over, and yesterday Helldivers 2 publisher Sony announced that players on Steam will soon be required to switch to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. And the news did not go well.
Thousands of PC gamers have now responded to both Arrowhead and Sony, swapping positive reviews for negative ones. Some refer to Sony’s data leak While others blame Sony as a reason not to link their accounts, “dictatorship“and”corporate greed“.
Sony’s opaque messaging has compounded the problem. For example, on a website page that explains how to access PSN while playing games on a PC In the United Kingdomnow says “some PlayStation games may require you to sign in and link to an account for PSN”.
However, on US version of the same pageSony advises that “PSN access is optional when playing a PlayStation game on PC.”
At the time of writing, Sony appears to be refusing to issue refunds to PC gamers unhappy with the directive.
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Helldivers 2 creative director and Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt wrote on Twitter, “Ouch, right on the review account.”
“Well, I guess it’s warranted. We’re sorry to everyone for how this all turned out. I hope we can fix it and restore trust by continuing to deliver great gaming experiences. I just want to make great games!”
Pilestedt is accused of “fishing for sympathy”. he said“The team will have to make up for it by using the leverage we have: Creating great gaming experiences.”
ICYMI, earlier this week the developer added another way for Helldivers 2 players to die by friendly fire. Shots fired from heavily armored enemies will now “properly” hit the Helldiver firing them. I apologize in advance to anyone I’ve offended.