Summary
Arrowhead is currently in discussions with Sony over how to deal with the ongoing controversy surrounding the retroactive enforcement of the PSN account requirement for playingHelldivers 2on PC, a senior company official has revealed. This community update also offered some additional insights into the ongoingHelldivers 2drama.
The PlayStation-published live-service shooter was released in early February for the PS5 and PC. Its Steam version was initially sold internationally, offering an optional ability to link the game with one’s PlayStation Network account. But that was never an option for many, as Sony only offers PSN in 73 out of the 195 countries across the world. While it’s technically possible to create an account for a supported region from anywhere on the planet, even without a VPN, doing so is against Sony’s terms of service and grounds for a ban. But the upcomingHelldivers 2updatethat’s set to roll out on May 6 will make PSN account linking mandatory, the publisher said on May 3, inciting widespread backlash from the fandom.
Helldivers 2 Dev ‘Talking Solutions’ to PSN Drama With Sony
Arrowhead CEOJohan Pilestedt initially responded to theHelldivers 2PSN dramaby vowing to “regain the trust” of the community. The vague pledge was met with polarizing reactions from the company’s customers. Pilestedt has now once again taken to social media to offer some clarity on the situation, stating that the Swedish studio is currently in the process of “talking solutions with PlayStation.” And while the executive assured fans that their “voice has been heard,” he noted that he doesn’t have “the final say” over how the situation will be handled.
Despite the decision on the solution being out of his hands, Pilestedt conceded that he shoulders some responsibility for theongoingHelldivers 2controversy. He hence admitted that it was his decision to make the PSN account linking optional at launch. “I am not blameless in all of this,” the executive wrote, noting Arrowhead was aware of the PSN requirement being mandatory around half a year ahead of the game’s release.
The May 3 Steam post announcing the controversial update cited “technical issues at launch” as the main reason for making the PSN account requirement optional. The post did not characterize this “grace period” as Arrowhead’s decision. The PSN FAQ previously described account linking as optional for playing PlayStation games on PC, but was updated to insist that it’s mandatory following the controversial announcement.
Many fans have so far objected toHelldivers 2being sold internationally with full knowledge of this requirement. Pilestedt said that was not his decision in response to one such comment. Around the time the executive was sharing his insights with the community,Sony delisted the Steam version ofHelldivers 2in 177 countries, exacerbating the online backlash even further.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
