Helldivers 2, a game that initially received positive reviews, is now facing a “mixed” review score on Steam. This sudden shift can be attributed to over 100,000 “mostly negative” review bombs from PC players who are unhappy about the requirement to sign into Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) in order to continue playing.
The developer of the game, Arrowhead, had made this linking requirement optional during the game’s release in February due to technical issues. However, the grace period for Helldivers 2 players on Steam has now ended, and Sony, the game’s publisher, recently announced that players on Steam will soon be required to link their accounts to a PSN account. This news has not been well-received by the PC gaming community.
As a result, thousands of PC players have taken to changing their positive reviews to negative ones as a form of protest against both Arrowhead and Sony. Some players cite concerns about Sony’s data leaks as a reason for their unwillingness to link their accounts, while others criticize Sony’s perceived “dictatorship” and “corporate greed”.
The situation has been further exacerbated by Sony’s inconsistent messaging. On the UK version of the PlayStation website, it states that “some PlayStation games may require you to sign in and link to an account for PSN” when playing a game on PC. However, the US version of the same page advises that signing in to PSN is optional when playing a PlayStation game on PC.
As of now, it appears that Sony is unwilling to provide refunds to PC players who are unhappy with this directive.
Johan Pilestedt, the creative director of Helldivers 2 and CEO of Arrowhead, expressed his regret about the situation on Twitter, saying, “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!” Some individuals accused him of seeking sympathy, to which he responded that his team would make up for the situation by creating great game experiences.
In unrelated news, the developer of Helldivers 2 recently introduced a new feature that allows players to be killed by friendly fire when shots ricochet from heavily armored enemies. This addition has sparked excitement and anticipation among gamers, as it adds a new level of realism and challenge to the game.
The current controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 and the requirement to link to a PSN account may have significant implications for both the gaming industry and the concept of cross-platform play. This incident raises questions about the control that platform holders exert over players and the potential risks associated with sharing personal data.
As gaming increasingly shifts towards a digital landscape, issues of privacy and security will become more prevalent. The backlash against Sony’s linking requirement reflects a growing concern among players regarding the protection of their personal information and the potential for data breaches.
In the future, it is likely that players will demand more transparency and control over their personal data when interacting with online gaming platforms. This may lead to the implementation of stricter data protection regulations and more robust security measures from platform holders.
Moreover, the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 highlights the ongoing tension between platform holders and independent developers. While Sony’s decision to require account linking is seen as a way to bolster their own ecosystem, it has resulted in significant backlash from players and developers alike.
This incident may prompt independent developers to seek alternative distribution channels that offer more freedom and autonomy. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, platforms that prioritize the needs and desires of developers may emerge as viable alternatives to traditional gaming platforms.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 serves as a reminder of the potential risks and challenges associated with the integration of online gaming platforms. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring player privacy and security while also considering the needs and concerns of both developers and players. Moving forward, it will be crucial for platform holders to strike a balance between creating a seamless gaming experience and respecting the rights and preferences of their users.