The recent debacle surrounding Helldivers 2 has taken a turn for the worse as the game, which was the best-selling title of the year, has been made unavailable on Steam in more than 170 countries. Sony, the publisher of the game, announced that all PC players of Helldivers 2 would now need to link their accounts to an active PlayStation Network (PSN) account in order to continue playing. This change, which was initially an optional feature at launch, has caused a backlash among players, resulting in thousands of negative reviews flooding the game’s page.
Despite assurances from a Helldivers 2 community manager that players in countries without PSN coverage would still be able to access the game, it has now been discovered that the game has been removed from over 170 territories lacking PSN support. This has left many players uncertain about whether they will be able to continue playing the game if they reside in unsupported regions. The situation has caused confusion and frustration among the player base, raising concerns about the accessibility of the game for global players.
In response to the controversy, Steam has begun approving refund requests for players, even if they have played the game for more than 2 hours. This is a departure from Steam’s usual policy, which does not allow refunds for games played beyond the 2-hour mark. The sudden change in policy appears to be a reaction to the unexpected requirement of linking the game to a PSN account, which was introduced long after the game’s launch. Valve’s decision to make an exception to their refund policy highlights the severity of the situation and the impact it has had on players.
The developer of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Studios, has stated that the PSN mandate was not their decision but was imposed by Sony. As a result, the developer has urged players to direct their frustrations towards Sony rather than the development team. Sony, on the other hand, has yet to formally address the backlash and criticism surrounding the PSN requirement. The lack of communication from the publisher has only served to fuel the discontent among players, leading to a growing sense of frustration and confusion within the Helldivers 2 community.
The Helldivers 2 controversy has highlighted the importance of clear communication between developers, publishers, and players. The sudden implementation of the PSN requirement has caused significant disruption and dissatisfaction among the player base, raising questions about the decision-making process behind such changes. Moving forward, it is crucial for all parties involved to address concerns transparently and work towards finding a resolution that is satisfactory to all stakeholders.
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