Helldivers 2 Taken Down In Multiple Countries
The discourse surrounding "Helldivers 2" is only getting more intense, now that the game has been delisted in a number of regions. Just a few days ago, it was announced that "Helldivers 2" will officially require players to have a PlayStation Network account linked to Steam in order to sign into the game, much to the dismay of players everywhere. Though setting up a PSN account isn't all that difficult on the surface, this unfortunately also means that anyone who plays the game in a region with PlayStation Network support is out of luck. Even using a VPN seems to be out of the question now, because "Helldivers 2" has been rapidly removed from sale on Steam for a great number of territories — well over 100, in fact. In a lengthy thread about the delisting on ResetEra, fans noted that many of the customer complaints did not originate from these territories, they also pointed out that this appears to be a sure sign that Sony will not be changing its mind about the PSN requirement any time soon.
Reactions from fans have ranged from bewilderment to outrage, which some arguing that Sony stands to lose even more customers before this controversy blows over. One forum user writes, "Game runs without PSN connectivity with zero issues as the last 3 months have shown." Another referred to the whole mess as "a PR disaster" for Sony and Arrowhead Game Studios. Not everyone seems to feel like this is such a big deal, with many players booking the issue down to a simple refusal to provide Sony with an email address and password. Of course, it's a little more complex than that, particularly when so many people are getting boxed out of joining the fun at all. As it turns out, the devs behind "Helldivers 2" may be on the same page as the angriest gamers.
Arrowhead's surprising response to customer backlash
Obviously nobody wants to lose an audience or the trust of fans, particularly when their labor of love has caught on as quickly as "Helldivers 2" has. In the wake of "Helldivers 2" reviews tanking on Steam, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt tweeted, "Well, I guess it's warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired ... I just want to make great games!" In light of over 100,000 negative reviews hitting the game on Steam, Pilestedt has continued to assure gamers that he and his team are doing all they can to work towards some kind of compromise with Sony.
Ouch, right in the review score 😢🤕
Well, I guess it's warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience.
I just want to make great games! pic.twitter.com/EPO7apDUlc
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the dev's official Discord server has been a firestorm of activity over the last few days, as community managers scramble to answer player complaints and address the outrage. The folks in charge have also attempted to point gamers in the direction where their frustrated energy may be utilized best: customer reviews. Community manager Spitz wrote, "I want people to make their displeasure known in a place where it might actually make a difference, Steam reviews and refund requests will do that, angry posting in the Discord won't." Spitz expressed displeasure about the fact that so many people are now unable to play their favorite game.
It remains to be seen whether or not Sony and Arrowhead will be able to work out some kind of deal to circumvent the PSN requirements, but the fact that the game is already unavailable in so many areas seems to put that idea to rest before it could even be pursued. Adding to this feeling is the fact that Steam is now processing refund requests from impacted players, as well as from players protesting Sony's rules.