Sony Interactive Entertainment

Sony Interactive Entertainment is the publisher of the Helldivers games.

Trivia

On May 3, 2024, Sony Interactive Entertainment posted this message onto HELLDIVERS™ 2 on Steam:

Attention Helldivers,

Due to technical issues at the launch of HELLDIVERS™ 2, we allowed the linking requirements for Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account to be temporarily optional. That grace period will now expire. See details below in this post.

Account linking plays a critical role in protecting our players and upholding the values of safety and security provided on PlayStation and PlayStation Studios games. This is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behaviour. It also allows those players that have been banned the right to appeal.

As such, as of May 6th, all new HELLDIVERS 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account. Current players on Steam will start to see the mandatory login from May 30th and will be required to have linked a Steam and PlayStation Network account by June 4th. PlayStation Network accounts are free and easy to set up using this link
https://www.playstation.com/support/account/create-account-for-psn/

We understand that while this may be an inconvenience to some of you, this step will help us to continue to build a community that you are all proud to be a part of.

Many thanks for your continued support of HELLDIVERS 2!

This update would cause many players to lose their paid access to the game, as numerous countries are not included in PlayStation Network's list of supported countries. It triggered significant backlash within the community against Helldivers 2 and its developer, Arrowhead Game Studios. The response included review bombing on Steam, requests for refunds beyond the usual two-hour gameplay limit, and—in extreme cases—individual threats directed at the developers.
Three days later, on May 6th, they rescinded their decision and amended the previous Steam post, adding the following statement:

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 learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we’ll keep you updated on future plans.

To this day, the regional restrictions remain unresolved, preventing Steam users in 134 Earth countries from enlisting in the Super Earth army.