Helldivers 2, the popular game developed by Arrowhead Games, has recently come under fire from the gaming community due to a controversial new requirement. The game, which was previously available for purchase on the digital distribution platform Steam, has been removed from sale in over 170 regions.
Helldivers 2 also reached a new record. This title now has 330,000 negative reviews on Steam, setting the record for the most negative reviews among paid games.
What Happened?
The backlash began when Sony, the publisher of Helldivers 2, implemented a new policy requiring all players to link their Steam and PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts. This decision was met with widespread criticism, with the game receiving over **100,000 negative Steam reviews** in less than 48 hours.
The requirement for mandatory PSN linking has been particularly problematic due to the fact that PSN is not available in over 150 countries where Helldivers 2 was previously purchasable on Steam. As a result, the game has been delisted in these regions, leaving many players unable to access the game they had purchased.
In response to the backlash, Steam has taken the unprecedented step of issuing refunds for the game, regardless of playtime. This move has been seen as a clear acknowledgment of the issues surrounding the PSN linking requirement and the impact it has had on the game’s player base.
The CEO of Arrowhead Games has addressed the backlash, apologizing for some inappropriate comments made by the development team. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to placate the disgruntled player base and restore the game’s reputation.
This situation serves as a stark reminder to game developers and publishers of the importance of considering global accessibility and user experience when making decisions about their products. It also underscores the potential consequences of implementing sudden changes to game requirements without adequate communication or consideration for the player base.
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