Summary
Helldivers 2has been relisted on Steam in a few countries after previously being delisted due to Sony’s controversial decision to require PlayStation Network (PSN) account linking for PC players.Helldivers 2, the cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, faced significant backlash when Sony mandated that all PC players link a PSN account to their Steam accounts to continue playing the game.
The delisting ofHelldivers 2affected over 180 countries, significantly limiting access for a large portion of the gaming community. This move followed a surge of negative feedback from players, which eventually led Sony to reverse the PSN account linking requirement. Despite reversing the decision,Helldivers 2remains unavailable in many regions, causing frustration among fans who were eager to play one of the year’s most popular releases.
Steam Relists Helldivers 2 in Several Countries
According to arecent SteamDB update,Helldivers 2is now available for purchase again in American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These territories, all associated with the United States, were the first to see the restrictions lifted. This partial relisting suggests that Sony might be beginning to address the widespread unavailability of the game. The move is seen as a small but hopeful step toward makingHelldivers 2accessible to players worldwide again.
Helldivers 2’s initial success was due in large part to its simultaneous release on both PlayStation 5 and PC in February 2024. This strategy diverged from Sony’s usual practice of delaying PC ports and aimed to capitalize on the growing PC gaming market. Despite early server issues, the game quickly gained a large following, selling over 12 million copies and becoming one of Sony’s fastest-selling games. However, the enforcedPSN account linking onHelldivers 2led to a steep decline in its Steam rating and numerous refund requests.
In an effort to manage player dissatisfaction, Steam made the rare move of issuingrefunds toHelldivers 2playerseven if they had exceeded the standard two-hour playtime limit. This decision came in response to the significant backlash and demonstrated the scale of the issue. Many players were relieved by the reversal of the PSN requirement, although they remained frustrated by the continued unavailability of the game in numerous regions.
Industry analyst Mat Piscatella highlighted that the PC version ofHelldivers 2accounted for over half of the game’s U.S. sales, making it Sony’s seventh highest-grossing game in the U.S. This achievement underscores the importance of multi-platform releases and the potential revenue from the PC gaming market. Thesuccess ofHelldivers 2on PCplayed a crucial role in its overall performance, highlighting the changing landscape of game distribution. The relisting ofHelldivers 2in a few countries is a positive sign, but the broader issue of global accessibility remains. As the gaming industry evolves, ensuring equitable access to games across different regions and platforms is increasingly important.
Helldivers 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenceless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy.Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth, in this multiplayer co-op shooter for PS5 and PC from Arrowhead Game Studios.Step into the boots of the Helldivers, an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest and most explosive tools in the galaxy.Helldivers don’t go planet side without proper backup, but it’s up to you to decide how and when to call it in. Not only do you have a host of superpowered primary weapons and customizable loadouts, you also have the ability to call on stratagems during play.Helldivers 2 features Arrowhead’s best cooperative gameplay yet. Collaboration will be vital: Teams will synergize on loadouts, strategize their approach for each mission and complete objectives together.1Enlist in Super Earth’s premier military peacekeeping force today. We are heroes… we are legends… WE ARE HELLDIVERS.
