After a huge outcry in the community, the publisher has now reacted and will refrain from linking accounts for the time being
New developments around Helldivers 2 Sony has released a new statement and it contains an important message for fans: The obligation to link Steam and PSN accounts will not come.
This is a reaction to the ongoing unrest surrounding the popular multiplayer shooter. Initial reactions from fans have been euphoric, but the ugly face of the shitstorm has also emerged
Sony statement
Via X (formerly Twitter) Sony has reacted and is trying to minimize the damage already done to the enormously successful Helldivers 2. Here is the statement, we have translated it for you below:
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.
We’re still…
– PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024
Helldivers fans – we’ve heard your feedback on account linking for Helldivers 2. The May 6 update that would have required Steam and PlayStation Network accounts to be linked for new players and for current players as of May 30 will not be implemented.
We’re still figuring out what’s best for PC players, and your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we will keep you updated on future plans.
We’ve made it
In the Helldivers 2 community, Sony’s response is celebrated as a hard-fought victory in the game itself:
☻
This is how a Reddit user opens his thread in capital letters: We all made it! As expected, the responses are positive: The power of Helldivers is legendary, we have the courage to be free. Another user appeals to his comrades: Reminder to change negative reviews back to positive ones. He is of course alluding to the more than 114,000 negative Steam reviews that Helldivers 2 received within a single day. However, there is still no improvement on Steam, and this is only expected to happen later today, if at all.
It can also be assumed that the sales ban will be reversed in many countries as part of this measure. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed. We will keep you up to date on this
Widespread impact
After the decision, many at developer studio Arrowhead are apparently also breathing a sigh of relief – but at the same time, the dark side of merciless review bombing is also becoming apparent.
By the way, the hullabaloo surrounding the planned account linking has also prompted other Sony studios to respond with a statement. Sucker Punch, the studio behind Ghost of Tsushima, has already confirmed that PC gamers will not have to link PSN accounts for the port, which will be released on May 16, 2024, if they only want to play the single player.