Helldivers 2's Latest Update Requires Account Linking And Players Are Angry

screenrant.com:

is making a massive change to its PC version and the community couldn't be more annoyed. Ever since the popular third-person shooter launched on PlayStation 5 and Steam, the game has boasted an enormous player base that's only grown larger as developer Arrowhead Studios has continued to support the game with extensive content patches. Unfortunately, many of those users who have participated in Super Earth's galactic war are disgruntled because of a new requirement that may make it significantly harder to enjoy the game.

Posted to X (formerly Twitter), Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that all players on PC will need to link their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account, a decision which has angered the community.

The primary cause of annoyance is the fact that PSN is only available in 69 countries in the world so a user in a region that isn't supported will be locked out of the game, unable to play any further. Several players have noted that they've attempted to link the accounts only to discover that PSN is not accessible to them, leaving them with no options.

While it is possible to work around the region restriction by using a VPN to change one's location, the use of third-party software to alter an internet connection can be risky. Sony has the right to ban players whose credentials are incorrect, potentially resulting in users being permanently locked out of the game despite having to go to extreme lengths to simply play it in the first place. It's a solution to the problem, but the risks it carries mean many fans would rather not risk permanently losing access to the game.

PlayStation Network is unavailable in approximately 121 countries around the world.

Whether or not Sony walks back the decision remains unknown but the player base is calling for the policy to be altered or, alternatively, for PSN to become available globally. Given that the secondary option seems unlikely, it's up to the publisher to decide on how it responds to the