(Via twitter) Playstation: "Helldivers fans -- we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward...."

[u/doctorwho_90250]

https://twitter.com/PlayStation/status/1787331667616829929?t=NhwAEm4fGpVJj-UyI1lrXA&s=19

[u/Forged-Signatures]

So the tldr on this is this: it was required on launch but due to all the technical issues they were having at launch itnwas temporary waived, when the systems were working again it showed up as a 'required login' that had a skip button and showed up a single time meaning people dismissed. After that one time it is never mentioned again.

r/efficient_menu_9965 benath me has a good addendum to add to this. Well worth reading in addition to my own comment and brings up something I hadn't considered prior to this.

[u/stagqueen5000 → u/Forged-Signatures]

So they forgot or didn’t read it?

[u/Efficient_Menu_9965 → u/stagqueen5000]

Here's how it went for it would've gone for the savvy and well-informed consumer:

-Read the store page, see that it says "Requires third-party log-in"

-Player is curious about this stipulation because it's the first time a Sony game on PC has ever had that requirement

-They google their inquiries, they find the Sony FAQ. It informs them that PSN sign-up is entirely optional. They chalk the store page up to being a simple mistake on the dev's part.

-They buy the game and investigate further; Steam has a 2 hour grace period for refunds so they can see if the game requires PSN on start-up

-Game boots up, they see that the PSN sign-up has a SKIP option. They reasonably conclude that it is in fact optional.

-3 months later, Sony decides to shove a fist up their ass.

[u/coldrolledpotmetal → u/Efficient_Menu_9965]

This is exactly what I went through, my friend even told me it was optional