Summary
- Helldivers 2 relisted on Steam in select countries after Sony's controversial PSN account linking requirement caused backlash.
- Initial success of Helldivers 2 on PC led to significant revenue, highlighting the importance of multi-platform releases in the gaming industry.
- Steam issued refunds to players affected by PSN requirement, showing the impact of player dissatisfaction on game availability.
Helldivers 2 has been relisted on Steam in a few countries after previously being delisted due to Sony’s controversial decision to require PlayStation Network (PSN) account linking for PC players. Helldivers 2, the cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, faced significant backlash when Sony mandated that all PC players link a PSN account to their Steam accounts to continue playing the game.
The delisting of Helldivers 2 affected over 180 countries, significantly limiting access for a large portion of the gaming community. This move followed a surge of negative feedback from players, which eventually led Sony to reverse the PSN account linking requirement. Despite reversing the decision, Helldivers 2 remains unavailable in many regions, causing frustration among fans who were eager to play one of the year’s most popular releases.
Steam Relists Helldivers 2 in Several Countries
According to a recent SteamDB update, Helldivers 2 is now available for purchase again in American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These territories, all associated with the United States, were the first to see the restrictions lifted. This partial relisting suggests that Sony might be beginning to address the widespread unavailability of the game. The move is seen as a small but hopeful step toward making Helldivers 2 accessible to players worldwide again.
Helldivers 2's initial success was due in large part to its simultaneous release on both PlayStation 5 and PC in February 2024. This strategy diverged from Sony’s usual practice of delaying PC ports and aimed to capitalize on the growing PC gaming market. Despite early server issues, the game quickly gained a large following, selling over 12 million copies and becoming one of Sony’s fastest-selling games. However, the enforced PSN account linking on Helldivers 2 led to a steep decline in its Steam rating and numerous refund requests.
In an effort to manage player dissatisfaction, Steam made the rare move of issuing refunds to Helldivers 2 players even if they had exceeded the standard two-hour playtime limit. This decision came in response to the significant backlash and demonstrated the scale of the issue. Many players were relieved by the reversal of the PSN requirement, although they remained frustrated by the continued unavailability of the game in numerous regions.
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella highlighted that the PC version of Helldivers 2 accounted for over half of the game’s U.S. Sales, making it Sony’s seventh highest-grossing game in the U.S. This achievement underscores the importance of multi-platform releases and the potential revenue from the PC gaming market. The success of Helldivers 2 on PC played a crucial role in its overall performance, highlighting the changing landscape of game distribution. The relisting of Helldivers 2 in a few countries is a positive sign, but the broader issue of global accessibility remains. As the gaming industry evolves, ensuring equitable access to games across different regions and platforms is increasingly important.
Helldivers 2
- Released
- February 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Galaxy’s Last Line of Offence. Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.
URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat.
Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.
BECOME A LEGEND
You will be assembled into squads of up to four Helldivers and assigned strategic missions. Watch each other’s back – friendly fire is an unfortunate certainty of war, but victory without teamwork is impossible.
LOADOUTS
Rain down freedom from above, sneak through enemy territory, or grit your teeth and charge head-first into the jaws of combat. How you deliver liberty is your choice; you’ll have access to a wide array of explosive firepower, life-saving armor and battle-changing stratagems… the jewel in every Helldiver’s arsenal.
REQUISITION
Super Earth recognises your hard work with valuable Requisition. Use it to access different rewards that benefit you, your squad, your destroyer ship and our overall war effort.
THREATS
Everything on every planet wants you dead. That’s what we’re dealing with. Each enemy has distinct and unpredictable characteristics, tactics, and behavior – but they all fight ferociously and without fear or morality.
THE GALACTIC WAR
Capturing enemy planets, defending against invasions, and completing missions will contribute to our overall effort. This war will be won or lost depending on the actions of everyone involved.
We stand together, or we fall apart.
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios, Nixxes
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Publishing
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC & PS5
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
