Los Angeles, CA – A wave of backlash hit the video game Helldivers 2 and its development team after a decision to reinstate a PlayStation Network login requirement on PC. The move prompted angry players to flood the co-op shooter’s Steam page with negative reviews, resulting in a significant drop in its rating on the Valve-owned platform. The CEO of Arrowhead Studios, Johan Pilestedt, took to Twitter to acknowledge the situation and express his regrets about the impact on the game’s reputation.
The controversy stemmed from the reintroduction of the PSN login requirement, initially removed during Helldivers 2’s launch phase due to server strain. Many players on PC, encountering the login process for the first time, expressed dissatisfaction with having to create a second account and share personal information with Sony. The issue sparked a divide between console players, who found the requirement acceptable, and PC gamers who opposed playing by another platform’s rules. Additionally, concerns were raised about players in countries without PSN support potentially being locked out of the game.
Steam’s review system, crucial for a game’s commercial success, played a significant role in the backlash against Helldivers 2. While the game had been performing well in sales, the mixed rating resulting from the review bombing campaign could mislead new players into thinking there were functional issues with the game. Valve’s ongoing struggle to combat such campaigns underscores the challenges in maintaining the integrity of store ratings by filtering out fraudulent reviews.
The situation escalated further when Pilestedt faced criticism over conflicting information regarding the necessity of PSN logins on PC for Helldivers 2. Some community managers associated with the game became targets of online harassment as a result of the frustration expressed by fans. Amid the backlash, there were also voices of support for the development team, with some players emphasizing their enjoyment of the game and expressing gratitude for the overall experience.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding online gaming communities and the impact of platform-specific requirements on player experiences. As Arrowhead Studios navigates the fallout from the controversy, the future of Helldivers 2 remains uncertain, with the need to regain player trust and address concerns about accessibility and user privacy. The ongoing debate highlights the evolving landscape of online gaming and the challenges developers face in balancing technical requirements with player expectations.