Sony Backtracks on PlayStation Account Requirement for Helldivers 2 on PC

Following a massive backlash from PC players, Sony has backtracked on its decision to require Helldivers 2 players on PC to link their Steam account to a PlayStation account to keep playing the game after May 30. Since its launch on PS5 and PC in February, Helldivers 2 has become one of the biggest games of 2024, but Sony has shot itself in the foot by miscommunicating about the required PlayStation account to play the game on PC.

The problem is that Helldivers 2 launched on PC without requiring players to have a PlayStation account, and Sony actually sold the game in markets where PlayStation accounts were not available in the first place. Over the weekend, PC players started to massively review bomb the game on Steam, and Helldivers 2 was also delisted in all markets where PlayStation accounts cannot be created. Valve also started offering refunds to players while ignoring its policy to only refund those with less than 2 hours of playtime.

Johan Pilestedt, the Creative Director of Helldivers 2 and the CEO of the studio behind it took his share of his responsibility for how poorly the PlayStation account linking requirement was communicated. “It was my decision to disable account linking at launch so that players could play the game. I did not ensure players were aware of the requirement and we didn’t talk about it enough. We knew for about 6 months before launch that it would be mandatory for online PS titles,” the Creative Director posted on X yesterday.

I do have a part to play. I am not blameless in all of this – it was my decision to disable account linking at launch so that players could play the game. I did not ensure players were aware of the requirement and we didn't talk about it enough.

We knew for about 6 months before…

— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024

Well, Sony has finally acknowledged that it needed to end the drama once and for all. And that implies giving up on PlayStation account linking for Helldivers 2 on PC.

“Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward. We’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable,” the company announced today.

Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.

We’re still…

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024

On X, Pilestedt explained that the PlayStation account linking requirement for Helldivers 2 came during the development of the game to help with moderation. “We had to comply even though there were concerns there would be backlash,” the game’s Creative Director said.

By bringing its biggest PlayStation exclusive games to PC, Sony had so far managed to reach a new audience without cannibalizing PlayStation 5 sales. And Helldivers 2 was the first PlayStation exclusive game to launch day and date on both PS5 and PC, and the Steam version received critical acclaim.

While it’s too early to tell if Sony’s relationship with PC players has been damaged beyond repair, the company’s plan to integrate PlayStation features into the PC version of its games is up to a really rough start. The upcoming PC version Ghost of Tsushima’s Director’s Cut, which will be released on Steam and the Epic Games Store on May 16, will also require players to sign in with a PlayStation account for its its co-op multiplayer mode. However, this will be available right at launch alongside a new PlayStation overlay providing access to Friends list, Trophies, and other PlayStation socia features.