Sony Walks Again Helldivers 2 PSN Account Linking Requirement on Steam After Widespread Backlash

Sony has walked again on its choice that mandated new and present Helldivers 2 gamers on Steam to hyperlink their PlayStation Community accounts to Valve’s service after extreme backlash over the weekend. On Friday, Sony had introduced that customers would want to hyperlink their Steam account to their PSN account to proceed enjoying Helldivers 2. The PlayStation mother or father and Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Recreation Studios acquired widespread criticism over the transfer, resulting in the sport being evaluate bombed on Steam.

In its newest replace, Sony mentioned that it will “not be shifting ahead” with the brand new requirement. “Helldivers followers — we have heard your suggestions on the Helldivers 2 account linking replace,” a publish from the PlayStation deal with on X mentioned Monday morning. “The Could 6 replace, which might have required Steam and PlayStation Community account linking for brand spanking new gamers and for present gamers starting Could 30, won’t be shifting ahead.”

“We’re nonetheless studying what’s finest for PC gamers and your suggestions has been invaluable. Thanks once more to your continued help of Helldivers 2 and we’ll hold you up to date on future plans,” the publish added.

Sony’s choice was met with widespread backlash from Helldivers gamers on PC. Over the weekend, the net co-op shooter acquired 1000’s of detrimental evaluations, plummeting the sport’s total rating. The latest evaluations for Helldivers 2 on Steam stand at ‘Largely Unfavorable,’ whereas total evaluations at the moment are ‘Blended’. The sport was additionally pulled from Steam in over 150 international locations, the place PSN shouldn’t be formally out there, with the Valve storefront issuing refunds to gamers.

Helldivers 2 builders Arrowhead Recreation Studios reached out to followers over the weekend and mentioned that it was engaged on reaching an answer with writer Sony. “We’re speaking options with PlayStation, particularly for non-PSN international locations. Your voice has been heard, and I’m doing all the pieces I can to talk for the neighborhood – however I haven’t got the ultimate say,” Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilstedt posted on X Sunday.

It appears Sony have learn the room and responded to the backlash. The PSN account linking requirement is being dropped, however the choice has ended up damaging all of the goodwill Helldivers 2 has collected since its launch.

The web shooter was launched on PS5 and PC in February and was met with essential acclaim and industrial success. Helldivers 2 shortly grew to become a phenomenon on PC particularly, climbing the charts to emerge as one of the vital performed video games on Steam globally, at the same time as the sport battled technical points.

Since its launch, Arrowhead has issued quite a few updates and bug fixes, along with often releasing new content material as the sport continues to retain a powerful participant base. On Monday, Pilstedt thanked PlayStation for listening to the neighborhood and reversing the choice shortly. “Firstly, I’m impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 neighborhood and your potential to collaborate,” he mentioned. “Secondly I need to thank our companions and mates at @PlayStation for shortly and successfully making the choice to depart PSN linking non-compulsory,” he added.