Arrowhead Game Studios and Helldivers 2 CEO Johan Pilestedt responded to gamers being extremely upset about the game requiring Steam players to link their Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account in order to play the game beginning in June.
A screenshot from Helldivers II (2024), Arrowhead Game Studios
Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game’s publisher, published a post to the game’s Steam forums announcing this requirement earlier this week. Sony stated, “Due to technical issues at the launch of HELLDIVERS™ 2, we allowed the linking requirements for Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account to be temporarily optional. That grace period will now expire. See details below in this post.”
“Account linking plays a critical role in protecting our players and upholding the values of safety and security provided on PlayStation and PlayStation Studios games,” the company posited. “This is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behaviour. It also allows those players that have been banned the right to appeal.”
It then declared, “As such, as of May 6th, all new HELLDIVERS 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account. Current players on Steam will start to see the mandatory login from May 30th and will be required to have linked a Steam and PlayStation Network account by June 4th.”
Helldivers 2 announcement requiring PlayStation Network linking
PIlestedt attempted to calm gamers down posting to X, “Hey everyone, in regards to account linking and questions thereto. Please reference [PlayStation Support] – if you have any further questions you can reach out using the ‘Contact PlayStation Support’ at the bottom of the page.”
Hey everyone, in regards to account linking and questions thereto.
Please reference https://t.co/dd3XnrzhFK – if you have any further questions you can reach out using the “Contact PlayStation Support” at the bottom of the page.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
Former World of Warcraft Team Lead Mark Kern replied, “Fix your Community Managers. They are creating a PR disaster for you.”
Fix your Community Managers.
They are creating a PR disaster for you. pic.twitter.com/yfPhLsmWM5
— Grummz (@Grummz) May 3, 2024
Pilestedt replied, “I understand that linking accounts and signing up for additional services may not be something that some users would like to do and that needs to be respected. While the steam page has always shown the requirements on the game page, I wish we had been more clear with the long term intent to not disappoint any of the divers out there.”
I understand that linking accounts and signing up for additional services may not be something that some users would like to do and that needs to be respected. While the steam page has always shown the requirements on the game page, I wish we had been more clear with the long…
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
A number of individuals then informed him that linking their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account requires a phone number, ID, or facial scan in the United Kingdom.
One stated, “It’s also the fact I’m forced to hand over a phone number, ID or facial scan just to MAKE the bloody account in the UK. XBOX doesn’t ask you for that sort of stuff when you make it. Also the fact they’ve had so many data breaches so I doubt said information is safe in their hands.”
Pilestedt replied, “Is this true? ID or Facial Scan?”
Johan Pilestedt on X
GobboGirlX as well as others shared screenshots proving this is a requirement.
GobboGirlX on X
X user MaverickLIVE_ also informed Pilestedt, “It’s true for those who reside in the UK and Ireland.” He also linked to PlayStation’s support page for the United Kingdom that states, “We are piloting an age verification process for players who register for new accounts in the UK and Ireland. If you are setting up an adult account, you will be asked to provide proof that you are over the minimum age for that type of account using an age verification service.”
It also notes that the age verification is done via “mobile number, facial scan, or ID. Verification methods are provided by our service provider, Yoti.”
Pilestedt responded with bewilderment, “Wow… That seems crazy. But I assume it’s a law in the UK that you need to be able to verify the age of your users? Either way. Sounds like a bit too much for my freedom loving mind.”
Wow… That seems crazy. But I assume it’s a law in the UK that you need to be able to verify the age of your users?
Either way. Sounds like a bit too much for my freedom loving mind.
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
While Pilestedt did not seem to be aware that PlayStation Network linking requires a phone number, ID, or facial scan, he did address the fact that the linking will lock out players who live in certain countries that cannot make PlayStation Network accounts.
Decinomocon wrote, “Let me start by saying I know its not you guys but sony who is holding the metaphorical gun here. But some countries that have your players literally cannot make PSN accounts because Sony does not recognize them on PSN. Whats going to happen to those players?”
Pilestedt responded, “We are discussing that question with our partners at PlayStations and trying to find a solution.”
Johan Pilestedt on X
What do you make of Pilestedt’s comments in response to the backlash regarding Sony requiring a PlayStation Network account in order to play Helldivers 2 on Steam?
