Helldivers 2: The Game That Sunk in One Weekend

The gaming world was left stunned when Helldivers 2, one of the most beloved games of 2024, suddenly received a barrage of negative reviews, plummeting its ratings. But what led to this dramatic downfall?

Helldivers 2 gameplay

Released on February 8, 2024, Helldivers 2 sold an impressive eight million units in just two months. However, hidden among its legal notices was a little secret: the game would eventually require linking the account with PlayStation Network.

PlayStation Network logo

Fast forward to May 3, 2024, when Sony announced that the PC version would require users to link their Steam game with a PlayStation Network account. The backlash was immediate, with criticism pouring in from all corners. The reason given was to “maintain the security values of PlayStation Studios games,” but players were not convinced.

Angry gamer

By May 4, 2024, the Helldivers 2 Steam page had amassed over 14,000 negative reviews, with players furious about having to give their data to Sony, which had a history of security slip-ups with their PSN accounts. To make matters worse, Steam had to remove the game from 177 countries where there was no option to connect it with PlayStation Network. Chaos had ensued.

Steam logo

Players felt hurt and deceived, and Arrowhead, the game’s developer, was left deflecting blame and pointing fingers at Sony. The showdown between users and companies had begun, with no clear winner in sight.

Sony logo

In a last-minute move, Sony decided to backtrack, stating that the update would not proceed. But the damage was already done, and Helldivers 2’s reputation had taken a severe hit. As one Reddit user aptly put it, “Here’s an idea: do nothing.” The game’s ratings had plummeted to a dismal 34% positive reviews in the last month, leaving many to wonder if it could ever recover.

Reddit logo

The Helldivers 2 saga serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and communication between game developers and their players. As the gaming world moves forward, one thing is clear: the power of the players cannot be underestimated.

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