Helldivers 2 Review Bombs After PSN Linking Requirement Enforced

Helldivers 2's Positive Steam Score Tumbles as PC Players Hit Back at Sony's PSN Requirements

- The originally well-received Helldivers 2 now has a "mixed" review score on Steam following over 100,000 "mostly negative" review bombs from PC players unhappy about having to sign into Sony's PlayStation Network to keep playing. - Developer Arrowhead said this linking requirement was made optional when the game released at the beginning of February due to technical issues. However, that initial "grace period" for Helldivers 2 players on Steam is now over, and yesterday, Helldivers 2's publisher Sony announced that players on Steam will soon be required to link to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. - And the news has not gone down well.

Thousands of PC Players Have Hit Back at Both Arrowhead and Sony

- Thousands of PC players have now hit back at both Arrowhead and Sony and changed their positive reviews to negative ones. - Some cite Sony's data leaks as a reason not to link their account, while other blame Sony's "dictatorship" and "corporate greed". - Sony's opaque messaging has further compounded the issue. For instance, on the website page that explains how to sign in to PSN when playing a game on PC in the UK, it now says that "some PlayStation games may require you sign in and link to an account for PSN". - However, on the US version of the same page, Sony advises that "signing in to PSN is optional when playing a PlayStation game on PC". - At the time of writing, it appears Sony is refusing to refund PC players unhappy with the directive.

Arrowhead CEO Apologizes for "Warranted" Review Bombs

- "Ouch, right in the review score," wrote Helldivers 2 creative director and Arrowhead CEO, Johan Pilestedt, on Twitter. - "Well, I guess it's warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience. I just want to make great games!" - Accused of "fishing for sympathy", Pilestedt said, "the team will have to make up for this by using the lever we have: Making great game experiences".