PlayStation has introduced that, after about three days of on-line yelling and reviewing bombing, it should not require Helldivers 2 gamers on PC to hyperlink their Steam account to a PlayStation Community account with a purpose to proceed accessing the favored sci-fi co-op shooter.
On Could 2, PlayStation and Arrowhead Video games Studios—the builders behind Helldivers 2—introduced on Steam {that a} so-called “grace interval” was ending and that every one PC gamers would want a PSN account to maintain taking part in one in all 2024’s finest video video games. Technically, this was at all times the plan as famous on the Helldivers 2 Steam retailer web page. Nonetheless, as a result of recreation’s messy launch in February, PC gamers have been allowed to play with out a PSN account. This led to an ungainly scenario on Thursday when Sony introduced all gamers would want to have a PlayStation account by June 4 to maintain taking part in. Now, following a massive negative reaction, PlayStation is backtracking.
In a tweet at midnight on May 5, PlayStation stated it had heard all of the “suggestions” on linking a Steam and PSN account and determined…nah, by no means thoughts.
“Helldivers followers — we’ve heard your suggestions on the Helldivers 2 account linking replace,” introduced PlayStation. “The Could 6 replace, which might have required Steam and PlayStation Community account linking for brand spanking new gamers and for present gamers starting Could 30, is not going to be shifting ahead.”
PlayStation stated it was nonetheless “studying what’s finest for PC gamers” and instructed all of the suggestions the corporate obtained concerning the scenario had been “invaluable.”
“Thanks once more to your continued assist of Helldivers 2 and we’ll hold you up to date on future plans,” concluded PlayStation’s late-night tweet.
This reverse on account linking follows a horrible time for Arrowhead’s devs and neighborhood managers, who have been compelled to handle an enormous digital battle throughout Twitter, Reddit, and Discord. The CEO of Arrowhead spent a lot of the weekend apologizing on Twitter and speaking to offended followers.
Individuals have been upset that the account linking announcement had come so lengthy after the sport’s launch—even when technically this was at all times the plan. Some questioned why, after months of with the ability to play on-line and use crossplay, they all of the sudden wanted a free PSN account to play Helldivers 2 on Steam. Different gamers have been upset that Helldivers 2 had been bought on Steam in international locations that don’t have entry to the PlayStation Community. This explicit difficulty was solely partially addressed by Sony in a FAQ posted on-line over the weekend. It additionally led to Helldivers 2 being faraway from sale in some international locations on Steam, a change that may seemingly be reverted quickly.
It appears PlayStation has discovered a precious lesson: Don’t assume each participant is studying the whole Steam retailer web page when shopping for a recreation, and hold individuals within the loop in your plans that may, sooner or later, lower them off from the sport they purchased.
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