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

Summary Helldivers 2 PC players must link Steam to PSN, angering users in unsupported regions, and risking bans for using a VPN workaround.

Arrowhead's new Warbond update, "Polar Patriots," adds weapons and armor to Helldivers 2, despite player frustrations with account linking.

The global Helldivers 2 community demands Sony change the restrictive account linking policy or make PSN available worldwide.

Helldivers 2 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 Helldivers 2 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.

Related Everything New Coming To Helldivers 2 Warbond: Polar Patriots Arrowhead has announced a new Premium Warbond for Helldivers 2, called "Polar Patriots", which will bring new weapons, armor, and more to the game.

Helldivers Are Calling For Change

Solutions Are Possible But Frustrating

Custom Image by Diana Acuña

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 Helldivers 2 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 Helldivers 2 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 blowback. The game's Steam page is already littered with thousands of negative reviews as consumers protest the mandatory changes which have a deadline of May 30.

Hopefully, some kind of alternative solution can be established that ensures the Helldivers 2 community remains as dedicated as ever. The fact that many players around the world could lose access to the game through no fault of their own is disheartening while the idea that many more may be confused behind the idea of installing a VPN is even more worrying. Only time will tell whether a different approach can be put into practice.

Source: Helldivers 2/X