Helldivers 2: PSN Linking Requirement Sparks Controversy and Frustration Among Players in 177 Countries

New Zealand
Helldivers 2 has been pulled from sale in around 177 countries due to a new PlayStation Network (PSN) linking requirement.
Players in non-PSN countries, including Egypt, Georgia, Jamaica, Morocco, and Japan, are unable to purchase the game.
Players who have already played Helldivers 2 for over 90 hours have secured refunds by submitting a request citing Sony's retroactive change and forced legal agreements.
Sony's decision to implement this requirement comes at a time when the gaming industry is increasingly focusing on cross-platform play and interoperability.
The requirement states that all new Helldivers 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to PSN starting May 6.
Helldivers 2: PSN Linking Requirement Sparks Controversy and Frustration Among Players in 177 Countries

Helldivers 2, a popular multiplayer game developed by Arrowhead, has been pulled from sale in around 177 countries due to a new PlayStation Network (PSN) linking requirement. The requirement states that all new Helldivers 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to PSN starting May 6, causing confusion and frustration among fans.

The decision has left many players in non-PSN countries unable to purchase the game, including Egypt, Georgia, Jamaica, Morocco, and Japan. Arrowhead is reportedly talking solutions with PlayStation regarding the issue.

Players who have already purchased and played Helldivers 2 for over 90 hours have successfully secured refunds by submitting a request citing Sony's retroactive change and forced legal agreements. Arrowhead CEO Joan Pilestedt acknowledged his role in the confusion, stating that he made the decision to disable account linking at launch but did not ensure players were aware of the requirement.

The PSN linking requirement aims to provide a consistent and reliable means of reporting, moderation, actioning and appeal for all Helldivers 2 players. However, it has sparked controversy among fans who feel that their freedom to play the game without being tied to a specific platform is being infringed upon.

Sony's decision to implement this requirement comes at a time when the gaming industry is increasingly focusing on cross-platform play and interoperability. It remains to be seen how this will impact Helldivers 2's player base and overall reception in the long term.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any legal repercussions for players who refuse to link their accounts?
  • How will this decision impact the long-term reception of Helldivers 2?
  • Is Arrowhead working on a solution for players in non-PSN countries?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Helldivers 2 Pulled From 177 Countries Due to PSN Linking Requirement, Arrowhead 'Talking Solutions'

IGN Comics Reporting Site Sunday, 05 May 2024 18:40
  • Unique Points
    • Helldivers 2 has been pulled from around 177 countries where PSN is not available.
    • Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that all new Helldivers 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to PSN starting May 6.
    • Arrowhead is talking solutions with PlayStation regarding the issue in non-PSN countries.
  • Accuracy
    • As of May 5, 2024, Helldivers 2 received overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam due to the new PSN account linking requirement.
    • Existing Helldivers 2 players on Steam will begin seeing a mandatory login on May 30.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

68%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Sony Is Making A Truly Terrible Mistake With ‘Helldivers 2’

Forbes Magazine Erik Kain Sunday, 05 May 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Sony announced that PC players need to link their PlayStation Network accounts to their Steam accounts to continue playing Helldivers 2.
    • Players in regions without PlayStation Network access are unsure how they will continue to play the game.
  • Accuracy
    • Helldivers 2 is a successful game on both PS5 and Steam with high player and sales numbers.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author expresses his opinion that Sony is making a 'terrible mistake' with Helldivers 2 by requiring PC players to link their PlayStation Network accounts to continue playing the game. He uses emotional manipulation by stating that this will cause players to lose faith in Sony and that it goes against the saying 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' The author also implies that Sony is being shady and annoying by not properly communicating this requirement from day one. This is selective reporting as the author only mentions the negative aspects of this requirement without mentioning any potential benefits such as enhanced security.
    • Sony is poised to squander a ton of the goodwill the company has accrued, not just from Helldivers 2, but from all its efforts to port PlayStation exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last Of Us, to PC.
    • Even the developer of the game, Arrowhead Games, is expressing dismay over the change.
    • It feels like a bait-and-switch, luring players in on false pretenses.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author commits an appeal to emotion fallacy by using the phrase 'truly terrible mistake' in the title and throughout the article to elicit an emotional response from readers. The author also uses inflammatory language such as 'egregious error of judgment', 'bait-and-switch', and 'shady' to manipulate reader opinion. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Sony's actions being both annoying and shady.
    • ] Helldivers 2 has been a smash success on both PS5 and Steam, not only pulling down huge player and sales numbers, but also a ton of goodwill from players. It's no wonder that people keep coming back to kill more bugs.[
    • Sony is poised to squander a ton of the goodwill the company has accrued, not just from Helldivers 2, but from all its efforts to port PlayStation exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last Of Us, to PC.
    • It feels like a bait-and-switch, luring players in on false pretenses.
    • Many gamers have pointed out that the PSN hasn't been the most secure network in the world.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author expresses bias towards Sony for their decision to require PlayStation Network accounts for continuing to play Helldivers 2 on Steam. The author uses language that depicts the requirement as annoying, shady, and a misjudgment by Sony.
    • Even Arrowhead Games is expressing dismay over the change.
      • It feels like a bait-and-switch, luring players in on false pretenses.
        • Many gamers have pointed out that the PSN hasn’t been the most secure network in the world.
          • Sony is poised to squander a ton of the goodwill the company has accrued, not just from Helldivers 2, but from all its efforts to port PlayStation exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last Of Us, to PC.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          92%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Helldivers 2 PC players secure refunds as Steam waives playtime limit

          Eurogamer News Site Analysis Report: Comprehensive Coverage of the Gaming Industry with Transparency in Reporting Practices, Fairness in Coverage, and Minimal Conflicts of Interest or Deceptiveness. (2023 Update). Vikki Blake Sunday, 05 May 2024 18:43
          • Unique Points
            • Helldivers 2 has been pulled from sale in 177 countries and territories due to a PSN linking requirement.
            • Players with over 90 hours of playtime on Helldivers 2 have successfully secured refunds by submitting a request citing Sony’s retroactive change and forced legal agreements.
            • Arrowhead CEO Joan Pilestedt acknowledged his role in the confusion, stating that he made the decision to disable account linking at launch but did not ensure players were aware of the requirement.
          • Accuracy
            • Sony announced that Helldivers 2 players on Steam will soon be required to link to a PSN account.
          • Deception (80%)
            The author uses emotional manipulation by expressing sympathy towards the players and their situation. She also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning the negative aspects of the situation and ignoring any potential positive outcomes or explanations from Sony or Arrowhead. The author does not provide any evidence that Sony forced legal agreements upon players, nor does she disclose any sources for her information.
            • Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community - but I don’t have the final say.
            • We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community - but I don’t have the final say.
          • Fallacies (90%)
            The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Arrowhead CEO Joan Pilestedt multiple times. This is a fallacy because the truth or falsehood of a statement does not depend on the authority of the person making it.
            • "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."
            • "We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community - but I don't have the final say."
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          77%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Helldivers 2 has been pulled from sale in 177 countries as its PSN linking requirement rolls out

          Eurogamer News Site Analysis Report: Comprehensive Coverage of the Gaming Industry with Transparency in Reporting Practices, Fairness in Coverage, and Minimal Conflicts of Interest or Deceptiveness. (2023 Update). Vikki Blake Sunday, 05 May 2024 10:10
          • Unique Points
            • Helldivers 2 has been pulled from sale in 177 countries where PSN is not available.
            • Players on Steam are required to link their accounts to a PlayStation Network account starting from May 30, and must have done so by June 4.
            • Account linking provides a consistent and reliable means of reporting, moderation, actioning and appeal for all Helldivers 2 players.
          • Accuracy
            • Sony is refusing to refund unhappy players with the directive.
          • Deception (50%)
            The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the negative reviews and does not provide any context or information about positive reviews. It also uses emotional manipulation by stating that Helldivers 2 has been 'battered' by negative reviews and that players are unhappy with the directive.
            • The game has been battered by almost 200,000 negative reviews from Helldivers 2 players on Steam.
            • Helldivers 2 creative director and Arrowhead CEO, Johan Pilestedt, wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'Ouch, right in the review score.'
            • It is, however, providing some updates to players via its official Discord, which includes a reminder that 'PSN requires users to register in their country or territory of residence'.
          • Fallacies (85%)
            The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting a community manager justifying the mandatory account linking as a means of protecting players from griefing and abuse. This is not a logical fallacy in itself, but it can be misused or taken out of context. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the negative reviews as 'battering' Helldivers 2 and using phrases like 'griefing' and 'abuse'.
            • Account linking provides a consistent and reliable means of reporting, moderation, actioning and appeal for ALL Helldivers 2 players.
            • We take online safety seriously and this is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse: by enabling the banning and suspension of players that engage in that type of behaviour. By linking accounts, you have the benefit of our extensive support team infrastructure for reporting these bad actors (and our appeals process if you are banned/suspended). This all helps us to make Helldivers 2 a safer and more enjoyable space for everyone.
            • It is, however, providing some updates to players via its official Discord, which includes a reminder that 'PSN requires users to register in their country or territory of residence'.
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication