Sony faced the wrath of consumers last weekend on PC. From mass refunding, to review bombing and memes aplenty, there was a unified public outcry against Sony. This was all due to one baffling decision. That being the requirement of having a PlayStation Network account to play Helldivers 2. While it sounds trivial to many in PSN-supported countries, it is actually a devastating move for PC players. Considering Steam is supported in the vast majority of countries, the requirement of a PSN account would lock out over 170 countries. Dividing the community and upsetting many who wish to just play the game in peace.
The community banded together through Steam, Reddit, Discord, and Twitter to send a strong message against Sony. Even the community manager, who has now been let go, asked players to review bomb the game on Steam. In order to make sure they could bargain with Sony, and through mass hysteria, the community won.
#Helldivers2 community manager has reportedly been fired after encouraging players to review bomb the game during the PSN controversy pic.twitter.com/eOhHwWX7wU
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) May 8, 2024
But it seems as even though the battle on that fateful day was won, the war was far from over. Reports indicate that Helldivers 2 has not been reinstated on Steam in over 170 countries, after being originally delisted. However, it does not end here. PC players globally who were eager to play the PC port of Ghost of Tsushima, will also require a PSN account.
War Never Changes
In a report from PC_Nation on Twitter, it was discovered that people who had pre-ordered the game through Greenmangaming, a reputable third-party Steam key distribution site, were getting refunded:
BREAKING🚨
Ghosts of Tsushima is no longer available in countries without PSN and is being removed from stores in those regions, even if you just want to play singleplayer. pic.twitter.com/YagEJ2ggij
— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) May 9, 2024
This was also followed up by SteamDB confirming the exact list of countries that Helldivers 2 would have been delisted from. Similarly, that same was being applied to Ghost of Tsushima. A game that is primarily going to be purchased on the merits of its story content alone. This has rightfully upset many people who just want to purchase the game and experience the story. Especially considering it was one of the most beloved titles of 2020. But why is it being restricted? Well, Ghost of Tsushima has a multiplayer mode that would feature cross-play with players on the PlayStation consoles.
Considering the players would need to use the PlayStation Network for cross-play, it makes sense for the option of a PSN account. But that is not the case. It is mandatory, even for people who may not even play the multiplayer mode. This is not like Helldivers 2 where it is all multiplayer so the idea can make sense. However, to the PC community, losing potential buyers in over 170 countries is not a logical option. Especially when it starts affecting third-party Steam key websites. The sites have to buy these keys and resell them at potentially a loss already to offer PC players a better deal. Which is something Sony is unfamiliar with and is currently being sued in the UK over the lack of those options for their console platform.
What To Do About Helldivers 2 and Ghost of Tsushima on PC?
If you are in a PSN-supported region, well this is not cause for alarm. Similarly to what happened with Helldivers 2, people who are interested in playing Ghost of Tsushima should protest Sony. Considering the more this happens, the more Sony loses out on potential buyers of PC ports that their dedicated PC port studio, Nixxes has been praised for.
This is all in part of potentially bolstering MAUs, or Monthly Active Users across the PlayStation business. A KPI that is not beneficial to anyone but for Sony investors. So, the choice is up to the consumer. Buy and fuel the practice. Or stay put and protest for the betterment of those being affected. Basically, what Helldivers 2, and its community preaches, Democracy.
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