In a surprising turn of events, Sony has decided to backtrack on its decision to require Steam players of Helldivers 2 to link their accounts to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. The reversal came after a weekend filled with intense player backlash, including review bombing the game on Steam.

The swift and powerful reaction from players cannot be understated. Shortly after the initial announcement, Helldivers 2 received over 14,000 negative reviews on Steam. This number skyrocketed to over 200,000 negative reviews over the next two days, resulting in a dramatic shift from the game's "overwhelmingly positive" rating to "overwhelmingly negative."

Interestingly, this wave of review bombing was seemingly encouraged by a community manager of Helldivers 2. Named Spitz, the community manager urged players to express their displeasure through Steam reviews and refund requests, aiming to make a difference in the situation.

However, the consequences of this action extended beyond Helldivers 2 itself. The original Helldivers game also became a target of the review bombing campaign, much to the dismay of Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt, who expressed his sadness on social media.

The negative impact of the review bombing also had a ripple effect on the game's availability on Steam. It was pointed out that the PSN is not available in certain countries, making the linking requirement a barrier for players in those regions. Steam tracker site Steamdb revealed that the game had been delisted in 177 countries where PSN was inaccessible. Additionally, reports surfaced of Steam offering refunds to players outside of the typical refund window.

In response to the mounting pressure and outcry from players, Sony announced earlier today that it would no longer enforce the PSN linking requirement. This decision brought relief to many, particularly those who were at risk of losing access to a game they had paid for due to the PSN account limitation.

As the dust begins to settle, players are reflecting on how this situation arose. While the PSN account linking had always been part of the game's plan and was clearly indicated on the Steam page, Pilestedt revealed that due to the unstable launch of Helldivers 2, they had initially delayed implementing the requirement. Internal discussions with PlayStation had indicated concerns about the potential backlash from fans.

With the PSN linking requirement now rescinded, Pilestedt expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and thanked PlayStation for swiftly resolving the matter. The game has been reinstated in the countries where it was previously delisted, and there are signs of a positive shift in reviews, as Helldivers 2's rating transitions to a "mixed" category with an increasing number of positive reviews.

In a lighthearted moment, Pilestedt shared an amusing graphic created by a community member, which transformed the negative review graph on Steam into a design for the capes worn by players in-game. It served as a reminder that in the world of gaming, even unexpected events can lead to creative outcomes.

Overall, Sony's reversal of the PSN linking requirement for Helldivers 2 demonstrates the influential power that players wield. The immense backlash and subsequent changes serve as a reminder that player feedback is a crucial force that can shape the landscape of gaming.