Sony Reverses Helldivers 2 Account Linking Decision Amid Backlash

Sony has decided not to require PlayStation Network account linking for Helldivers 2 players on Steam, following widespread community pushback.

This decision comes shortly after the gaming community voiced strong concerns about the initial plan, which would have mandated account linking for ongoing access to the game.

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

Sony’s Helldivers 2, a popular title on both PS5 and Steam, has recently been at the center of controversy due to a proposed update requiring players to link their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts with their Steam accounts.

This policy, intended to be implemented on May 6 for new players and on May 30 for existing ones, was met with intense criticism from the game’s community.

The backlash was significant enough that Sony and the game’s developers have backtracked on the decision.

“We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear,” stated PlayStation in a recent announcement, emphasizing their commitment to learning what’s best for PC players.

Johaan Pilstedt, Creative Director of Helldivers 2, expressed his gratitude towards the community and PlayStation for keeping PSN linking optional, highlighting the collaborative effort to enhance gaming experiences without imposing unnecessary restrictions.

Firstly, I am impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 community and your ability to collaborate. Secondly I want to thank our partners and friends at @PlayStation for quickly and effectively making the decision to leave PSN linking optional. We together want to set a new… https://t.co/2rayksgH1v

— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 6, 2024

Helldivers 2 has enjoyed considerable success and has been praised for its engaging gameplay and innovative live-service features. However, the initial decision to require PSN account linking was seen by many as a misstep that could undermine the goodwill Sony has built, particularly with their recent initiatives to bring PlayStation exclusives to the PC platform.

This episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance companies must maintain between implementing security measures and respecting the preferences of their user base.