Helldivers 2 Is Being Review Bombed

Sony posted an update to the Helldivers 2 Steam forum. People weren't pleased!

Sources:

[danielkinney]

The military simulation in HD2 is so deep, they've even added the part where leadership starts threatening punishments out of nowhere because you didn't make an account for something that they just now decided was important.

[jamiehobson]

They sold a game in 200 regions, 73 of those regions can actually make psn accounts

[treesaretough]

Its not reviewing bombing. Im simply connecting my account to a negative review. Its for the safety and security of all Helldivers that I do this.

[fellowtemplar]

PSN isn't even available in my country. They're simply banning me from playing the game that I paid for...

[joema]

For good reasons, why should pc players give their vital steam info to a 3rd party company that gets its database breached frequently?

[Rick_Sanchez_Jr.]

I can’t wait till Sony goes "Technically, playing Hellduvers 2 online is a PS Plus feature so we're gonna need you to pay for PS Plus on Steam". Mark my words.

[Mecks]

Sony just chose the anti-consumer route yet again.
Expect more layoffs soon.

[bzk]

Almost like forcing a retroactive change to a game preventing people from playing after they buy is an issue

[KeytarArgonian]

If you think I’m putting my literal photo ID anywhere near a Sony server you’re out of your damn mind.

‘Ooh making your account is just a bit annoying’

No. You shouldn’t be encouraging anyone to sign up to any network that has more holes in it than a sieve.

[kirbythewizard]

It's not review bombing... People are criticizing the changes that happened retroactively, so why can't they change their review retroactively without having it be called "Review bombing"

[AclypseOfReason]

All Arrowhead would have to do is disable cross play if you are on a PC and don’t create a Sony account. That way no one can cause harm on the precious Sony system. Sony sucks.

[xxJagMasterGxx]

A few things that you didn't mention that I think are quite important to the story:

1.) A short prompt was shown to some players when starting the game for the first time prompting them to link their PlayStation accounts. However you could skip the step, with wording that seemed like this was completely optional. This page also didn't show for everyone. Some players, myself included, didn't even know it was an option until now.

2.) They could have limited what regions could buy the game on steam, however they did not. This means they willfully allowed people to buy and play the game in regions that they knew would not be able to play in the future. I say willfully instead of chopping it up to them being neglectful, due to the fact that the game can STILL be purchased in those regions even after this.

3.) While the United Kingdom and Ireland are both included in the 69 countries that are supported by the PlayStation, there is an issue when creating an account for those users. When creating a PlayStation account they are required to submit either a photo of themselves or a photo of their government issued identification. This is required to verify your age on your PlayStation account. I personally wouldn't trust any company with my ID, let alone one that has had a history of data breaches (as recent as 2022).

4.) I understand that this was Sony's doing, however Arrowhead is not an innocent party here. They at no time (prior to this or now) have done anything to rectify this issue, and they got themselves into this position. This was something that they could have fought on prior to launch. They could have mentioned this at, before, or even after launch, but instead stayed quiet about it until now. Now they may not have been able to change the accessible regions for purchase on Steam, as it was published my Sony and they may have been the only ones who could do that. However they could have very well geofenced players in those regions from being able to play, and stated this as being why. Not only would this have been a warning for what was to come, but it also would have likely alleviated some of the server issues at launch.

In all both Arrowhead and Sony are to blame here, but mostly Sony. While they say its for moderation and safety, it clearly isn't as we have been fine without it with the current moderation. And there is nothing safe about Sony having your data. This to me seems like Sony using Helldivers 2 to get more playing information to sell, as MOST companies do. This isn't something that is isolated, but quite common. None the less it shouldn't be tolerated.

[vahlen]

The fact that they have the audacity to claim it's for "security reasons", when it's actually done to artificially inflate PSN user metrics to please shareholders, and get access to more personal data to sell, is the most egrigious part about this mess.

[Eltener]

And rightfully so. Imagining selling a game in a bunch of countries then switching things up so they'd have to break TOS to keep playing it
edit: insane that he barely even mentioned this. you can literally still, as we speak, buy the game in regions where you cannot make a PSN account and if you VPN to lie about your region they also reserve the right to delete accounts for lying about any of the details

[olencone]

It's ironic that they gave a poorly described "grace period" for account linking to give them time to handle the massive number of new players... and by now making account linking mandatory they will likely drive away a large number of those new players.

[rossmonasweebro]

I have no skin in this, but I'd think that asking people to agree to a new TOS (to create a PSN account) should qualify for the option to decline and get a refund.

[guardiantko]

but IN game ( 1:50 ) there was a SKIP THIS STEP button. NO WHERE did they say it was a GRACE period to play WITHOUT linking accounts. this is a security issue, i don't want Soyny to see my steam info, they get breaches every other month and don't share about it because shareholders are more important than customer safety. you only hear about the major breakouts once a year. this is a rug pull. through and through. NOT TO MENTION the GAME was allowed to sell in countries. WHERE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED A PSN ACCOUNT. and WILL GET BANNED/ACCOUNT DELETED for using a VPN to get around that little issue.

[jojorumbles]

No, that "need a third party account" was NOT shown when I bought it on steam. I wouldn't have bought it if it had.

I never agreed to Sonys EULA and TOS when I bought the game.

[turbotegs]

I don't think "review bombing" applies when negative reviews are left for a valid reason.

[SuperDeadbones]

its not "bombing", its a legitimate critic.