Summary
- Helldivers 2 is unavailable for pruchase on Steam in over 170 regions, sparking major backlash from players.
- Arrowhead cites technical issues for the delayed PSN requirement, but players voice concerns over lack of access in certain countries.
- Valve issued refunds for Helldivers 2 as Sony appears to be sticking to its PSN mandate, leaving players uncertain about the game's future.
Arrowhead's popular co-op shooter Helldivers 2 has been delisted from Steam in over 170 regions. This drastic step follows a controversial decision by publisher Sony, mandating Steam players to connect their accounts to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account before June 4 to continue playing Helldivers 2.
This unexpected switch-up incited severe outrage in the Helldivers 2 community, as linking a PSN account to the game was an option at launch. Arrowhead cites technical issues as the reason behind the delayed implementation, stating that the requirement was always mentioned on the Steam page, for those shocked by the mandate. However, the player base has pointed out several issues with the new rule, with the lack of PSN access in some countries being the biggest of them all. The Helldivers 2 developer confirmed internal discussions to rectify the problem, but it appears more issues have surfaced for gamers in some regions.
Helldivers 2 is Being Review Bombed
The smash hit co-op shooter game Helldivers 2 is currently being review bombed by some fans that are angry at the game.
Helldivers 2 has been removed from Steam in precisely the regions unsupported by PlayStation Network. The Steam Database Twitter account posted a list of all the countries where Helldivers 2 can no longer be purchased, and the exact current count stands at 177 regions. It's unclear whether this step is temporary to give Sony and Arrowhead some breathing room to figure out the solution, but existing players in those regions will no doubt be awash with uncertainty over whether they can still access their purchase, or perhaps even face a ban for using a PSN workaround.
Even Valve is Aware of the Helldivers 2 Outrage
Players are expectedly furious at Arrowhead and Sony, as they've resorted to review bombing Helldivers 2 on Steam, dragging down the user score to a paltry "Mostly Negative." This debacle has also cast a shadow of doubt over Helldivers 2's future, which, up until this point, looked quite strong. The circumstances are quite dire now, as even Steam is reportedly issuing refunds for Helldivers 2, even for players with over 100 hours of playtime, exceeding its usual two-hour limit policy.
Despite the escalating controversy, Sony has yet to offer an official response to the backlash, further aggravating players. Arrowhead CEO and Helldivers 2 director Johan Pilestedt acknowledged the review bombing and apologized to fans, but said the decision is ultimately up to Sony. Many predicted that the publisher would walk back on the decision after the outrage, but now that access to the game has been restricted in a large portion of the market, it seems Sony is sticking to its guns about the PSN mandate.
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
- Metascore
- 83
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Extraction Shooter, Action, Science Fiction
