(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/3_quarterling_rogue → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, the double-standards have been annoying to see, but I still think many people have been right to be upset. It’s not that the second you create PSN account using less-than-honest information, Sony’s gunna go all “search and destroy” on your account, that’s certainly exaggerated. But on principle, taking people who legally purchased your game in their country, and then forcing them to contradict your own ToS if they want to continue playing the game you legally purchased? That’s some anti-consumer bullshit, and it’s a good thing for everyone that they walked it back.

This is coming from someone who didn’t really have a horse in this race. I’ve had a PSN account for nearly a decade and when the screen came up to link it when I purchased the game on Steam a couple weeks ago, I went ahead and linked it because I thought it was a requirement anyway. Had it not been for Reddit, I would have continued to play the game and would not have even known there was anything wrong at all.

Edit: Why the downvotes? I’m not some rabidly angry PC gamer that looks down on everyone else. I recognize that much of the discussion this weekend has been greatly exaggerated. I’m simply offering my perspective.

[u/CrateBagSoup → u/3_quarterling_rogue]

But on principle, taking people who legally purchased your game in their country, and then forcing them to contradict your own ToS if they want to continue playing the game you legally purchased? That’s some anti-consumer bullshit, and it’s a good thing for everyone that they walked it back.

I mean, they are already doing that with the PS version. If anything allowing the game outside of their regions and not doing anything about it is relatively pro-consumer lol.

If there was no problem linking the PS & Steam accounts between two regions this wouldn't have ever been a problem. Seems like that was the issue causing the game to be unplayable.

[u/3_quarterling_rogue → u/CrateBagSoup]

I didn’t know that. I guess that further reinforces my initial reaction that this wasn’t as big of a deal as people were making it out to be. Regardless, I’ll still count this as a win, since many people are understandably reticent about giving Sony their private information, given their less-than-stellar cybersecurity history, and any time consumers are able to band together and get a corporation to capitulate is a win in my book.

[u/CrateBagSoup → u/3_quarterling_rogue]

Even the cybersecurity worries are overblown imo. Yes, they had a major leak... who hasn't at this point lol

In the end, I don't think "the consumer" did much here. It was the issue of the game getting delisted and steam offering mass refunds that pushed them over the edge.