Apparently Valve is giving refunds on Helldivers 2 regardless of hour count. Details inside.

[Space Lynx]

This has to be the most asinine move a Company of this Space could make. I have friends who play DOTA2 all the time and the only Game I saw that took them away from that was Helldivers2. Even on PC hardware live streams people have been mentioning this Game since launch. How do you take a Game that got popular by word of mouth in the age of social media. Put a wall behind it when more than half of the PC players are at Level 20 and above. Talk about tone deaf. I am still beside myself.

yeah that's why I said before that Helldivers 3 could have competed at CoD levels with the right funding, Sony really fucked up on this one.

 

[Kapone33]

yeah that's why I said before that Helldivers 3 could have competed at CoD levels with the right funding, Sony really fucked up on this one.

I really have no one but myself to blame. I had completely given up on MMOs after my favourite Action RPG Marvel Heroes was cancelled. At least I did not spend money on Black Panther, Ms Marvel and Beta Ray Bill like in that Game. I can tell you though that Helldivers2 was a great Arcade run. I guess I will jump back into Aliens Fire Team Elite. It is similar but not as kinetic as Helldivers2. Another telling factor is most PC players had no idea that Helldivers1 even existed before buying this. The $40 price also seemed like a gesture of Good will.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Steam had EA PGA Tour for 9 bucks and change this weekend, so I gave it a try. Bought the game, downloaded, installed, and launched, only to be greeted with an EA startup screen requiring me to download their app (600 worthless MBs), create an account, agree to multiple pages of TOS, and then create a username. That last part they said was fast and easy--only it wasn't, because many names were taken or characters weren't allowed. To top off the turd sundae, the game ran like crap, which is sad since it's just a golf game. 20 minutes in, I nuked all of it from orbit and asked for a refund.

So no, I don't like all this forced account linking garbage either, and even a game costing $9 isn't worth it, IMO. Everyone wants your personal info and telemetry. You'd think with all this data collection, they'd actually deliver quality content. Somehow isntead they're farther from their customer base than ever.

 

[HQi88]

https://x.com/PlayStation/status/1787331667616829929

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. We’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we’ll keep you updated on future plans.

 

[HQi88]

nice, I knew they would cave as I said previously. most people be bitter and probably won't change that review though, lol

I'm gonna give it a week to see what Sony will do going forward. As long as Arrowhead remains dev and PSN will never be required, then I will change my review.

 

[Space Lynx]

I'm gonna give it a week to see what Sony will do going forward. As long as Arrowhead remains dev and PSN will never be required, then I will change my review.

I'm probably going to buy Helldivers 2 when it hits 29 bucks now probably in summer or fall sale. I have fucking mad respect for this community. baller as hell

for those who don't want to click the link

 

[Pumper]

The funny thing about delisting the game in non-PSN countries is that multiple EU members are not in the PSN network either, but Sony can't remove the game from them alone as it would go against EU laws, so the game is still available for purchase for people who would have to break Sony TOS (create a "fake" PSN account) in order to play it.

 

[Space Lynx]

The funny thing about delisting the game in non-PSN countries is that multiple EU members are not in the PSN network either, but Sony can't remove the game from them alone as it would go against EU laws, so the game is still available for purchase for people who would have to break Sony TOS (create a "fake" PSN account) in order to play it.

well it's all over now. Sony backtracked. lol

I feel bad for the people who refunded and lost their achievements, not sure how that works, do they get those achievements back if they rebuy now? I don't know, this is all very weird

 

[Fokker]

I wouldn't hold my breath that Sony relents forever. I'll never buy it at this point.

 

[Kapone33]

I wouldn't hold my breath that Sony relents forever. I'll never buy it at this point.

Agreed. If it was a single player Game it would be different but being an MMO they can kiss you know what.

 

[dgianstefani]

Still has the terrible anti cheat root kit in a PvE game so it's still a skip.

 

[Flyordie]

Well, as long as they make it clear it won't move forward, I may just buy the game. I have gotten to the point where I am tired of creating accounts for all sorts of different launchers that aren't needed. Its stupid. Its why I've stopped buying Ubisoft games after Far Cry New Dawn. I want to buy 6, but won't because I'm tired of the launcher BS. Steam works fine. They have anti-cheat options.

Why can't all the dang game devs work with one launcher and be done?

 

[Space Lynx]

Still has the terrible anti cheat root kit in a PvE game so it's still a skip.

I did forget about this. heh, yeah I guess you are right, skip still for me too. Maybe if I get a PS5 Pro someday I will get it on that, cause I don't care about that stuff on consoles.

Well, as long as they make it clear it won't move forward, I may just buy the game. I have gotten to the point where I am tired of creating accounts for all sorts of different launchers that aren't needed. Its stupid. Its why I've stopped buying Ubisoft games after Far Cry New Dawn. I want to buy 6, but won't because I'm tired of the launcher BS. Steam works fine. They have anti-cheat options.

Why can't all the dang game devs work with one launcher and be done?

they think they can create higher profits instead of paying steam the 30% sell fee. but then they overestimate the cost of going it on their own... so they jerk us around back and forth. don't forget a lot of EA and Ubisoft games only recently came back to Steam, cause they desperate for that moola.

if they had been smart they would have never made those other launchers, and they would have buckled down on AAA proper experiences, but short term greed destroys most men in this world sadly.

 

[Flyordie]

I did forget about this. heh, yeah I guess you are right, skip still for me too. Maybe if I get a PS5 Pro someday I will get it on that, cause I don't care about that stuff on consoles.



they think they can create higher profits instead of paying steam the 30% sell fee. but then they overestimate the cost of going it on their own... so they jerk us around back and forth. don't forget a lot of EA and Ubisoft games only recently came back to Steam, cause they desperate for that moola.

if they had been smart they would have never made those other launchers, and they would have buckled down on AAA proper experiences, but short term greed destroys most men in this world sadly.

I'm sure Valve/Steam would could have made special agreements for lower cuts if they kept with STEAM. It takes tens of millions per year to run your own launcher. I think its more about capturing user data.

 

[64K]

Since 2018 Steam doesn't take a flat 30% cut. They have a sliding rate scale. 30% for the first 15 million dollars in sales. 25% from 15 million to 50 million dollars and 20% for anything above 50 million dollars.

 

[Vayra86]

I wouldn't worry about it, this is obviously just an oversight on Sony's end, they will reverse course, backlash is already fairly massive and I bet Arrowhead calls Sony exec's on Monday. If Sony doesn't reverse course they are dumb as shit lol, right now they are only dumb as bricks. lol

Just wait for it, they'll offer you a way to 'easily make a PSN account' and provide a 5% off voucher for a PS5 alongside it 'to make amends'.



Its not even a joke. They might. Free marketing

I wouldn't hold my breath that Sony relents forever. I'll never buy it at this point.

Yep, this was the final strike for me too, alongside it being always online and clearly a highly temporary 'persistent' thing.

I wonder if it will reach the five year mark. I'm not throwing my $$ in this pit

 

[Assimilator]

Main news thread re this: https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...-helldivers-2-after-negative-feedback.322147/

Valve 1 : 0 Sony

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

They were given an out, by claiming this was "for the community." The reality is, their move violated regulations in the EU and turned into a money-losing affair. They can say they were "still learning what's best for PC players" all they want, but they had to know. Best construction was they were wanting to offer cross-platform saves, but you make that opt-in with a PSN account, not a mandatory move.

 

[redeye]

Helldivers 2 was the sleeper hit very positive rated game... this is quite the turn around, and another reason I don't bother with multiplayer games, they always get harvested in the end, in one way or another.

I used to love Sony... forcing account linking after the fact is a bit... eh... iffy imo. Full disclosure this is all happening really fast, I can't even keep up with it. European Union GDPR doesn't allow for changing of policy on whim like this, so EU people can get refunds regardless of hour count apparently. Source

This is not the first refund I have seen, I have seen a few posts like this, so I do believe they are legit.

Sony basically said no PSN account linking would be required on Steam, then changed it's mind. It was optional at first because it was not ready yet apparently for the launch of the game, but most people didn't read it this way is my understanding of the situation.

View attachment 346259

Here is an image from Reddit showing the before and after of the policy update regarding linking accounts:

before and after image

Spitz I think is the head guy giving some updates about the account linking: Update from Helldivers 2 team


Long story short, Sony took a good thing they had going and fucked it up because of forcing account linking. lmao the industry is so out of touch, but the Helldivers 2 crowd don't take shit laying down. Also, note to self: next time I am in EU make a new steam account for multiplayer only game purchases. Fucking mad respect to the EU boys!!!! Ironic that that the best democratic system in the world is the same system giving Helldivers 2 (an ironic comedy that is against democracy thematic) their refunds. Fucking legend.

account linking?… use a throwaway playstation account.

 

[Vayra86]

account linking?… use a throwaway playstation account.

No. Use the law, keeps people straight.

The law's also used against you, so fair's fair.

Still has the terrible anti cheat root kit in a PvE game so it's still a skip.

Yeah this product was full of red flags from the get go

don't forget a lot of EA and Ubisoft games only recently came back to Steam, cause they desperate for that moola

Yep... and we should still review bomb all of them six feet under until they kill those double DRM affairs. I've never understood why anyone would buy a game on Steam to be thrown onto another gatekeeper.

I always remember the bottom line here. The companies we give money to, apparently still don't trust us. Well then, here's my middle finger for you, dear company. I'll pirate your shit instead.
Financial impact works. It always does. If EA, Ubisoft and ActiBlizzMSthesda ever go back to a fair power balance with us dear customers, I'll be happy to start giving them money again. Perhaps... at budget bin level pricing

 

[evernessince]

Lol, Geoff is a very influential person in the videogame industry. You are free to dislike him but whether you like it or not he personifies a sizable portion of the videogame industry.

Again the tragic immaturity of the videogame industry (as a whole) is on vivid display in this episode.

There are people who run their videogame companies like real businesses. I know many people online love to hate on some of these companies but Nintendo happens to be one of them. Is it any surprise that Nintendo is eating Sony's and Xbox's lunch? Nintendo isn't perfect (no company is) but they aren't effing up like SIE currently is, not by a longshot.

Somewhere on this planet, Jim Ryan's phone is ringing and he's not picking up. It's going to voicemail but no one can leave a message since his mailbox is full.

Of course he represents a sizable portion of the industry, the part that's ripped the soul out of their games chasing profits and children's parent's wallets. It's not that hard to ignore that part of the industry and when you realize that, there are still a lot of good games being made nowadays. It's just that a large proportion of those are coming from small and medium sized developers and not AAA studios.

 

[R-T-B]

The dev is really, Really, REALLY uncomfortable. Poor handling on this situation by all parties but especially by PlayStation.

I would not say Arrowhead has been handling it badly at all...

IMO DRG never lost it's throne for PvE anyway, so no skin off my back there.

Rock and Stone brother!

As one dwarf to another, the game was good but the real brotherhood has always been in the mines.

I hope it resolves but we indeed have other options if it does not.

The sad part is that they gave their phone number too which is a really good way to find every out about some one.

Discords phone verification scheme is not shared with the server operator, just FYI.

account linking?… use a throwaway playstation account.

That would be fine for us sure, but not possible for a large portion of the globe.

 

[cvaldes]

I would not say Arrowhead has been handling it badly at all...

Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt apologized and admitted that the studio should have done a better job himself.

Helldivers 2 CEO apologizes for Sony PSN requirement fiasco as Steam review bombing continues: "I hope we will make it up and regain the trust"

"Well, I guess it's warranted. Sorry everyone for how this all transpired."

www.windowscentral.com

This was a Grade A Charlie-Foxtrot on all sides but above all by SIE.

The players "won" the battle but the war will wage on and at some point in the very near future SIE will ramrod PSN account requirements down their throats. Maybe not this particular title but all devs under contract with SIE/PlayStation should closely re-read what they signed because Sony likely has better lawyers.

Anyhow the damage is done. Many Steam reviewers will leave their reviews and scores intact. SIE and Arrowhead have bled revenue, bled goodwill, bled trust. There will always be the spectre of PSN account enforcement like a dark cloud in a sunny sky.

This was piss poor execution everywhere.

Former Helldivers 2 players left with a bad taste in their mouths will find another co-op to play; their money will go elsewhere. And in the not too distant future, some dev/publisher will loudly proclaim that their new title doesn't require PSN registration.

 

[GreiverBlade]

lol, well i am glad refused my refund 2 time then

 

[R-T-B]

Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt apologized and admitted that the studio should have done a better job himself.

Which is the right PR move for this situation, but doesn't change my judgement.

lol, well i am glad refused my refund 2 time then

I'm confused, aren't they granting time-exceeded refunds?