What the Helldivers?

How did Helldivers go from the top game of the year to the most hated in less than a week? Find out. Plus, check out the latest from the Xbox Indie Showcase and much more. Let’s go!

Helldivers 2 goes to hell

Shortly after it was revealed that Helldivers 2 was the leading revenue generator of 2024, the studio behind the game made a stunning announcement: players on the PC version would need to login to the game using a PlayStation account. From the announcement:

Due to technical issues at the launch of HELLDIVERS™ 2, we allowed the linking requirements for Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network account to be temporarily optional. That grace period will now expire. See details below in this post.

Account linking plays a critical role in protecting our players and upholding the values of safety and security provided on PlayStation and PlayStation Studios games. This is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse by enabling the banning of players that engage in that type of behaviour. It also allows those players that have been banned the right to appeal.

That’s when everything went to hell. 

Helldivers 2 received over 211,000 negative reviews on Steam in a three-day span. The CEO of Arrowhead says “I Just Want to Make Great Games,” while directing those with complaints to contact PlayStation’s support page. 

Also, due to this change, Helldivers 2 was pulled from Steam in 177 countries and counting. This is due to the PlayStation Network not being available in those countries, which prohibits players from creating or having PSN accounts. Meanwhile, Steam is allowing those who have purchased Helldivers 2 to procure a refund, even if they have hundreds of hours of playtime. 

Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilested still has hopes. In a tweet, he says “We are talking solutions with PlayStation, especially for non-PSN countries. 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.”

Will the new requirements influence your decision to play Helldivers 2? Let us know in the comments. 

Update: As we were finalizing this newsletter, Sony backtracked on their plans to require a PlayStation Network login to play Helldivers 2. Via the PlayStation Twitter account:

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.

Highlights from the Xbox Indie Showcase

Xbox held their spring Indie Game Showcase last week. Here are a few of the highlights.

Keylocker

Keylocker is described as a “cyberpunk, turn-based, rhythm JRPG.” Rock on. 

33 Immortals

A roguelike Diablo-esque MMO where you can take on enemies with 33 of your closest friends. 

Centum

In the spirit of Pony Island, Centum sends you on an adventure within your own computer. 

Promise Mascot Agency

A Yakuza legend is charged with running a mascot company with a little help from one of the… inhabitants.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

Your favorite warrior mouse returns in this medieval soulslike action RPG.

Times & Galaxy

Become the first reporter for Times & Galaxy. Can you get the scoop? 

Check out more announcements.

Side quests (more stories worth reading)

🃏 A Magic: The Gathering Black Lotus card sold for $3 million, topping the One Ring card sold to Post Malone last year. 

💼 LinkedIn is now a gaming company. 

🧛🏻‍♀️ A year after its release, players who purchased the $100 version of Redfall are still waiting for their two additional promised heroes for the game. 

😢 Take-Two is shutting down Roll7 and Intercept Games, makers of OlliOlli, Rollerdrome and Kerbal Space Program.

🛒 Roblox is rolling out video advertisements to users 13 and up. Walmart is testing a feature that would let players buy physical goods in-game.

🎲 Mensa picked its top board games of 2024: In the Footsteps of Darwin, Wandering Towers, Abducktion, The Vale of Eternity and First in Flight: A Historical Aviation Board Game. 

🦇 There is a new Batman: Arkham game coming in 2024, and it is a Meta Quest 3 exclusive. 

💰 Square Enix wrote off $140 million in “extraordinary losses” due to “content abandonment.”

💸 Players who spent $100 to receive all future DLC for Escape From Tarkov were not happy to learn they would need to spend another $250 to access the new PvE mode. 

⛔ Nintendo issued a takedown for 8,500 Yuzu emulator clones. 

🖱️ Gaming peripheral company Razer made a N95 face mask that didn’t meet requirements. The Federal Trade Commission fined them $1 million as it goes after "COVID-related health-product scams."

🔫 Ubisoft confirmed May 21 as the release date for its long-delayed free-to-play FPS, XDefiant. 

🎰 Dave & Buster’s is adding real money betting options to its arcades.

🐉 Wizards of the Coast admits “mistakes” around Dungeons & Dragons AI art.

🐐 Goat Simulator 3 DLC that never happened (but was prototyped) includes Hitman and L.A. Noire. 

🖥️ Bethesda head Todd Howard teases that multiple Fallout projects are in the works. 

☢️ The show also doubled the sales of Fallout tabletop games, and helped sell out copies of the official RPG. 

📺 The Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff Knuckles streaming series had the most-viewed opening weekend of any Paramount+ original series.

New Releases this week: 

Check out our feature on 11 new games to play in May.

5/8: V Rising (PC)
5/9: Animal Well (PlayStation, Switch and PC)
5/9: Crow Country (PlayStation, Xbox and PC)
5/9: Little Kitty, Big City (Xbox, Switch and PC)

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