Helldivers 2 Shoots Itself in the Foot With PlayStation Account Requirement

Sony had a surprise hit when it released Helldivers 2 earlier this year. But now the online shooter is facing a mutiny among PC users since they’ll soon be required to create a PlayStation Network account to access the game. 

“I bought this game on Steam with the intention of playing it on Steam. I do not now nor will I ever have a PlayStation account,” wrote one angry user on Steam, where Helldivers 2 is facing a surge of negative reviews. 

The wave of negative reviews on Steam for Helldivers 2 after the announcement. (Credit: Steam)

Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Games Studio says the only reason account linking was not required at launch was due to “technical issues.”

“Due to technical issues at the launch of Helldivers 2, we allowed the linking requirements for Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account to be temporarily optional. That grace period will now expire,” Arrowhead says. New PC players on Steam will now need to link their accounts with the PlayStation Network by May 6, while existing players will need to do so by June 4.

Arrowhead is indicating the account linking is necessary to help the developer and Sony crack down on bad actors in the online game. “Account linking plays a critical role in protecting our players and upholding the values of safety and security provided on PlayStation and PlayStation Studios games. This is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behavior,” the developer wrote. 

In addition, Arrowhead says creating a PlayStation Network account is free and easy. Even so, the requirement is causing an insurrection among the PC playing ranks. “That the game has been perfectly functional without the need for your mandatory login kinda shows it’s unnecessary on so many levels,” wrote one user on Steam. 

Memes from players lampooning the account linking requirement and condemning Sony. (Credit: Reddit)

One practical reason for the revolt is that the PlayStation Network is only supported in 90 countries. You can create a PSN account if you pretend to register your account within one of the supported countries—although this would break Sony’s terms of service. 

Meanwhile, other users refuse to hand over their personal information to Sony and see the requirement as a greedy corporate move to capitalize on Helldivers 2’s success. “I’ve never had a playstation account. I don’t want a playstation account. I’ve clocked 70+ hours and you want to force me to link to something else? I don’t go to the grocery store to fix my car, I don’t want to link my groceries to my dealership, man,” wrote another user on Steam. 

Although Arrowhead Games is in an independent studio, Helldivers 2 is being published through Sony Interactive Entertainment. Thursday’s announcement about the account linking is also signed by Sony Interactive.

Games analyst Daniel Ahmad says Sony and Arrowhead shouldn’t be surprised by the backlash. Account linking “isn’t an unusual ask, but it is unusual months after release. Should have either enforced this from the beginning or they should have a 1 click solution in place,” he tweeted.