Helldivers 2 Gets Delisted In 177 Countries As The PSN Account Controversy Continued...Then Finally Sony Reversed Course

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse for Helldivers 2.

Yesterday, Sony removed the game from sale in 177 countries and territories where PlayStation Network (PSN) access is not available. This move follows the company’s recent requirement for players to sign into PSN within the game, which was initially postponed due to network challenges at launch. The sudden enforcement of this requirement has left PC users in non-PSN countries unable to access Helldivers 2, prompting significant backlash. 

Arrowhead Games has been vocal in discussions with Sony though, according to CEO Johan Pilestedt:

Is this the moment to tweet "What? You guys don't have phones?" 😵‍💫

On serious note: 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…

— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024

However, fans are angry. The game now sits at a “Mixed” rating on Steam, with over 500,000 total reviews. Recent ones put Helldivers 2 at “Overwhelmingly Negative,” with over 250,000 reviews. Some players have reportedly even received refunds from Steam, despite exceeding the platform's typical refund window.

It deeply saddens me that @HelldiversGame is also being review bombed due to the recent @helldivers2 controversy.

— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024

What an awful situation. To see the success story of Helldivers 2 and Arrowhead Games crumble in mere days due to a boneheaded decision made by a corporate elite who doesn’t even play video games is truly tragic, and finally, Sony has relented.

In a new announcement, Sony has stated that the PSN account linking update will not move forward. Presumably the game will be re-listed in the countries it was removed from Steam in soon. This is a win for Helldivers 2 fans, way to fight for Democracy!

Helldivers fans -- we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. 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.

We’re still…

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 6, 2024