Key Takeaways:
- Helldivers 2 introduced a mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account link requirement for Steam users, which has been met with significant backlash from the PC gaming community.
- Arrowhead, the developer, cited technical difficulties and the need for crossplay between PC and PS5 as reasons for this change.
- The delayed enforcement of this requirement after the game’s launch, combined with its necessity for crossplay, has resulted in a surge of negative reviews from PC players.
Arrowhead, the game studio behind Helldivers 2, has recently announced that PC players will be required to link their PSN accounts with Steam. Initially, the studio had technical issues that hindered them from enforcing this requirement at launch. However, the grace period has now ended, and the studio has stressed that linking is crucial for player security and fair gameplay. This linking is also necessary to manage bans effectively across the game’s cross-play feature.
The PC community has expressed their disappointment with this decision, as they make up a significant portion of the game’s player base. Their primary concern is that the requirement was enforced after the game’s release, making it seem like an afterthought. This backlash has been evident not only in reviews on Steam but also across online communities, such as the Helldivers 2 subreddit.
Arrowhead’s decision to mandate PSN account linking aims to strengthen the security framework that supports crossplay between PlayStation and PC players. This is intended to create a fair and safe gaming environment while providing a structured way to handle player conduct issues.
The delayed implementation of this policy has further aggravated the situation. Players who bought the game expecting certain features now feel blindsided by the sudden requirement. This late enforcement is inconvenient and detracts from their gaming experience.
While the developers of Helldivers 2 may have had legitimate reasons to enforce PSN linking, the timing and mandatory nature of the change have sparked a significant backlash among the PC community. This backlash is evident in the overwhelmingly negative recent reviews on Steam. However, the PSN account linking requirement will be enforced beginning in June, giving the developers time to reconsider their decision.