Sony Backtracks on Mandatory PSN Account Linking for Helldivers 2 After Backlash

In a surprising turn of events, Sony Interactive Entertainment has canceled its controversial decision to require Helldivers 2 players on Steam to link their accounts to PlayStation Network (PSN). The decision, which was announced earlier this month, had sparked outrage among players, who saw it as an unnecessary and anti-consumer move.

The requirement would have forced both new and existing Helldivers 2 players on Steam to link their accounts to PSN in order to continue playing the game. Sony claimed that the requirement was necessary for "safety and security" purposes, but players were skeptical, arguing that it was simply a way for Sony to lock down the game and prevent cross-platform play.

The backlash to the requirement was swift and severe. Players flooded the Helldivers 2 Steam page with negative reviews and many threatened to refund the game if the requirement was not reversed. Arrowhead Game Studios, the game's developer, also spoke out against the decision, saying that it "understands and supports the concerns" of its players.

In the face of mounting pressure, Sony has finally relented and canceled the PSN account linking requirement. The company issued a statement saying that it had "heard the feedback" from players and that it would "not be moving forward" with the requirement.

This is a major victory for PC gamers, who have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to anti-consumer practices by game publishers. It is also a reminder that companies need to listen to their customers if they want to avoid negative PR and damage to their reputations.