Helldivers 2, the highly anticipated co-op shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios, has become the subject of an epic player backlash. What started as a tense policy change has turned into a disastrous review bombing campaign that has ruined the game’s stellar user rating on Steam.
The controversy began when publisher PlayStation Studios stated that it would require all PC gamers to have a valid PlayStation Network account to play Helldivers 2.
Player Outrage Boils Over
For many Helldivers fans on PC, this policy change was an unwelcome surprise. It raised concerns over data privacy, regional restrictions, and the principle of having to create a secondary account just to play a game they already purchased
Sony compounded the frustrations by the fact that PSN accounts aren’t available in over 170 countries where Helldivers 2 was previously sold on Steam. Players in those locked-out regions effectively had a game they could no longer access or receive updates for.
As displeasure mounted, the developers at Arrowhead seemed sympathetic to the player base. Spitz, the community manager, took to Discord, revealing that Sony’s decision had blindsided the studio. The studio’s team is together with the players in this fight.
In a controversial statement, Spitz added that players voicing their dissatisfaction via reviews gives them more leverage in the discussions with Sony. This appeared to be a tacit endorsement of review bombing tactics.
The Deluge of Negative Reviews
Helldivers fans certainly took that advice to heart. Recently, over 200,000 negative user reviews have flooded the game’s Steam page, knocking it from “Overwhelmingly Positive” to a paltry “Mixed” rating.
It has caused such backlash that Valve has apparently begun refunding some players regardless of playtime. It is something that goes against the company’s 2-hour policy. Sony has also pulled Helldivers 2 from sale entirely in the 170+ regions where it does not support PSN.
Desperate Damage Control
An onslaught of review bombing swamped the developers. They scrambled to reassure angry players that their voices mattered and were being heard.
Ouch, right in the review score 😢🤕
Well, I guess it’s warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience.
I just want to make great games! pic.twitter.com/EPO7apDUlc
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 3, 2024
“Ouch, right in the review score,” Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt tweeted ruefully as the negativity piled on. “Sorry everyone for how this all transpired. I hope we will make it up and regain the trust by providing a continued great game experience.”
Pilestedt revealed that the studio had known about the PSN mandate for 6 months prior to the launch of Helldivers 2. It raised questions about why the studio didn’t warn players earlier. He stated the team is “talking solutions” with PlayStation, especially for those in locked-out regions.
“Your voice has been heard, and I am doing everything I can to speak for the community – but I don’t have the final say,” the CEO said.
A Lasting Impact?
The flood of negative reviews seems to have gotten Sony’s attention. However, it remains unclear if the flood of negative reviews will force Sony to reverse its policy or if the negative reviews will permanently tarnish Helldivers 2’s reputation among the public.
Steam’s user rating system has made or broken many games’ sales prospects over the years. Even if Sony and the developers reach a resolution, a “Mixed” label could deter new players from ever experiencing what critics acclaimed as an otherwise excellent co-op shooter.
For their part, the developers desperately hope this is just a temporary storm. “Waking up to the sunshine of yesterday replaced with a dreary drizzle…makes me reflect on how I spent my time those rare few moments when all was perfect,” Pilestedt mused philosophically. “Yet rain is essential to growth and is what changes spring into summer. I will just have to wait for the sunshine to return.”
Waking up to the sunshine of yesterday replaced with a dreary drizzle and shivering winds makes me reflect on how I spent my time those rare few moments when all was perfect.
Yet rain is essential to growth and is what changes spring into summer. I will just have to wait for…
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 5, 2024
The Helldivers 2 negative review bombing saga underscores the volatility of the gaming community and the lasting damage that can be inflicted when players feel misled or betrayed by anti-consumer policies, especially after supporting a product. It’s a harsh cautionary tale about the importance of transparent communication between developers and their fans.
For now, a Category 5 fan backlash of their own making has engulfed Arrowhead and Sony. It remains to be seen whether they can recover and regain players’ trust. But one thing is certain–reviews can make or break this passionate gaming landscape.