Article updated 5-6-2024- inlcudes PlayStation social media post retracting the PSN login requirement for Steam users

Following Sony's decision to require mandatory logins to PlayStation Network for Helldivers 2 playability (starting May 30th), which was made Friday, the publisher has made the so-op multiplayer shooter unavailable to purchase in over 150 regions, according to Video Games Chronicle. Steam has also agreed to full refunds for players, regardless of play time. While there was a grace period, Sony still allowed a game to be accessible in regions that don't allow PSN account creation.

Even switching to a country with access can be seen as a violation of terms of service. This news prior to had already caused a significant turn of good fortune for one of PlayStation's more beloved recent exclusives. Helldivers 2 has now been met with over 100,000 negative reviews across Steam, as Sony seems to be caught off guard by the response from its customers. Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestsedt has stated that the decision was out of their hands.

"We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries," Pilestedt posted to Twitter/X. "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."

Is this the moment to tweet "What? You guys don't have phones?" 😵‍💫

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…

— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024

Sony's mishandling of this situation may end up being a teachable moment. Even on the grounds that this is for "security reasons", Sony has been prone to data breaches in the past, so their networks aren't known for being the strongest. This is a case where two-step verification could easily have sufficed.

- Update -

In the 24 hours following the community feedback and demands for refunds, PlayStation posted from their Twitter/X account that they will NOT move forward with plans for a mandatory sign-in on PSN for Steam users. The post is as follows:

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 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.

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

SOURCE: Video Games Chronicle