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In May 2024, Sony reversed a plan to require PlayStation Network (PSN) account linking for Helldivers 2 players on Steam after the announcement triggered a wave of negative reviews and objections from players unable to access PSN in their countries. Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt accepted responsibility for the poor communication; Sony, which set the account policy, ultimately said the update would not go ahead.
What changed, and why did players object?
Helldivers 2 launched for PS5 and PC on February 8, 2024. Sony’s FAQ said Steam account linking had been made temporarily optional at launch because of technical issues. In May, Sony proposed restoring the requirement: new Steam players would be prompted to link from May 6, while existing players would have to link by June 4.
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PlayStation Helldivers 2 [ 5] | $44.40 | Buy on Amazon |
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Horror Tales: The Wine (PS5) | $28.37 | Buy on Amazon |
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HITMAN World of Assassination (PS5) | $33.40 | Buy on Amazon |
Sony’s stated rationale was that linking supported reporting, moderation, enforcement, and appeals. Many players objected to being asked to add another account after launch, and players in countries or territories without PSN access raised a more practical concern: they might not be able to comply. The official FAQ’s wording, preserved in a Steam discussion post attributed to the Helldivers 2 community team, included the questions “Why do I need a PlayStation Network account now? I didn’t when the game launched on Steam” and “I am currently in a country or territory that is not PSN-enabled. Can I still sign in and link an account?”
How the backlash unfolded
The announcement quickly drew negative reviews. PC Gamer reported more than 20,000 negative Steam reviews on May 3, 2024—a same-day snapshot, not a current review total. Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt reacted to the review impact with “Ouch, right in the review score,” then added, “Well, I guess it’s warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired.”
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On May 5, PlayStation announced that the plan was canceled: “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.” The May 5 statement described a May 30 deadline for existing players, while the earlier FAQ had proposed June 4. The planned requirement did not take effect.
What did the CEO say, and who was responsible?
Pilestedt said he had not made the long-term requirement clear enough: “I did not ensure players were aware of the requirement and we didn’t talk about it enough.” He also said he had disabled linking at launch. That helps explain the mixed messaging, but the distinction matters: Sony announced and then withdrew the account-linking policy; Pilestedt acknowledged Arrowhead’s failure to communicate it clearly.
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Did the controversy affect sales availability?
Yes, temporarily. During the May 2024 controversy, the game was delisted from sale on Steam in 177 countries and territories, according to reports at the time. That figure describes the delisting context, not the game’s current availability. A June 2025 report said Sony had lifted regional restrictions for several PC games, including Helldivers 2, while seven countries remained restricted at that point. Those reports do not establish the country-by-country status on October 8, 2026; check the current Steam store listing for availability in your region.
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What the figures do—and do not—show
| Figure | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| More than 20,000 negative Steam reviews | PC Gamer’s report on May 3, 2024; a dated snapshot, not a present-day total. |
| 177 countries and territories | Reported in connection with the May 2024 Steam delisting; not a current availability count. |
| More than 12 million units sold through | Sony Group Corporation’s PS5-and-PC figure as of May 5, 2024; not a current sales estimate. |
Sources and timeline
- Helldivers 2 community FAQ, preserved in a Steam discussion post: temporary optional linking, proposed dates, rationale, and player questions.
- PlayStation’s May 5, 2024 statement: cancellation of the planned update.
- PC Gamer, May 3, 2024: the review snapshot and Pilestedt’s reaction.
- PC Gamer, June 2025: reported changes to regional restrictions.
- GameSpot’s May 2024 coverage: reported Steam delisting across 177 countries and territories.
- Sony Group Corporation’s 2024 investor presentation: the company’s more-than-12-million sell-through figure as of May 5, 2024 and its PS5-and-PC scope.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
