Some context. When Helldivers 2 first launched on Steam, Sony's user agreement stated a PlayStation Network account was required in order to play. Linking a PSN account was not possible at launch, however, allowing players to play the game without one. After initial technical difficulties, developer Arrowhead eventually got around to enabling PSN accounts for the game on PC, and Sony is now mandating either that an existing account be linked or a new account be created to continue playing the game.

Because PSN is operated regionally, with only select countries having their own local networks, Steam users in countries without PSN access have no means of creating a legitimate account (besides faking their location), meaning they are by default in violation of the game's terms. As a result, the game has now been removed from Steam entirely in any country without its own PSN region.

I thought this was interesting and somewhat contradictory in the context of Sony's ongoing endeavour to bring many of its first-party titles here to GOG DRM-free (for the most part). Helldivers 2 is of course a multiplayer GaaS game - perhaps Sony regards this as fair game to stipulate PSN registration - but it demonstrates a recent eagerness to strongarm PC users into using its console ecosystem where possible.

What might this mean for future releases of Sony titles on GOG? Until now I was fairly hopeful that the likes of Ghost of Tsushima, Returnal, Horizon Forbidden West etc might yet arrive here, but if Sony's motivation in the PC space is now ultimately to boost its active PSN users and incorporate PC gamers into its ecosystem, it has little to gain from GOG.

Damn just saw the reviews on Steam. Shame on this conglomerate for bs it's fans. They are calculating as a cash cow and pulled a Rockstar move. Remember it's morally ok to rob thiefs. Why do I hear Captain Jack Sparrow theme music in the back of my head?

Without the complete picture I made the mistake of assuming that a PSN account was not necessary initially, but that a change to the terms of the sale was made by Sony; for which I was initially indignant. Like you say, it was instead the case that it was always stated on the Steam store page that a third-party account would be require to play.

Only after sales were made was requiring a PSN account enforced, and only following the backlash did Steam made ammendments to ensure that the game could no longer be sold in regions where creating a PSN account isn't possible. This could all be an unfortunate coincidence, but customers have been potentially mislead for not doing their (perhaps unreasonable) due dilligence have been punished, and Sony's reputation has suffered for it. Even if all this was circumstantial, given Sony's intentions to acquire active PSN users and gather information, I'm not inclined to give them any benefit of the doubt.

But regarding what was asked, I can't see Sony making any alterations to their policy. No-one ever does. Every company large enough that faces backlash just seems to steamroll forward until it goes away, because they realise it is more profitable even if their reputation is temporarily lessened or permanently ruined; or a few customers are lost. And as for GOG... I don't imagine it will get much consideration, if any.

200k negative reviews in the span of 2 days.
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/028/961/cover6.jpg

That is a bummer and it once again confirms to never 'buy' something which I don't own afterwards. You wouldn't do it with a piece of clothing, you wouldn't do it with a car, why would you do it with a game? (I know GoG games have hilarious license agreements as well, but as long as no one implements the technical means to actually enforce them I'm fine with it)

What this means for Sony games going forward? Probably nothing good. Maybe they are less fascistic about their single player games, but those are probably getting fewer and fewer as every big publisher aims for the one live service application to rule them all (and in the darkness bind them).

At least Sony is creative and open minded in some way; because they are testing the waters on almost any direction. On the other hand, Ubisoft and even Capcom can not be more strict, so with those 2 the gamers either accept DRM with many third party accounts or they are simply out of luck.

Important showing them they can not "get away with"... because ultimately your voice as a gamer counts.

There is a PSN in my country but the only reason i use PSN is because it is already linked to the PS5... the same way GoG website is linked to GoG downloads. However, i surely never accept "third party accounts" which are either not used for main downloads or as a main online-gaming account. Although, currently i only play 1 online game on PSN and there are 7 "online games" installed on my Android-phone, just for testing purpose. They can be played using a guest account... but surely never more than one main account. Most games are garbage anyway... just 7 out of hundreds was worth it to me even to test em out... all the others was deleted almost instantly. If all gamers would be like me... they can say goodbye to those "gacha-" (excessive lottery-like microsells style) or multiple-pay-games (full price for a often grindy main game along with countless DLCs with the taste of microsells, sometimes designed to reduce grind or reducing risk of failure = pay to win). But as long as there are enough of stupid gamers out there... enjoying to get their bottom busted... it will not go away.

Finally PC video gamers are writing negative reviews about PC versions of video games needing a 3rd party account for PC versions of video games sold on PC on Steam.

I have been doing this for five years. At least one video game that I wrote a negative review about needing a 3rd party account, got rid of needing a 3rd party account after I wrote my negative review.

Though the only reason they probably got rid of needing a 3rd party account for log in was because the video game development company was sold from the video game publishing company it was owned by to another video game publishing company. At least they also got rid of Denuvo as well in a patch like one year later. That is still some thing though. I hope more and more PC video gamers write negative reviews for needing these 3rd party account log ins.

I will probably later this year or next year start doing the same for video games requiring GOG Galaxy for multiplayer. I am so annoyed by needing all of these Digital Rights Management (DRM's) on top of Digital Rights Management (DRM's). It has never benefited me. It always annoyed me. I hate having to remember like five hundred emails and user names and passwords.

The neagtivity is not becasue it needs a third party account, it is because PSN is blocked in some countries, but Steam is not, so the people who bought and play Helldivers 2 on Steam will suddenly find out that the game is no longer working for them. This is AFTER they have bought the game and played it for a while, so it is a bait and switch. This is the main crux of the complaints

Not being able to access Playstation Network is a good thing. Maybe they try to sell Sony VPN or Proxy lol.

Apparently, the CEO of Helldivers 2 studio knew at least 6 months in advance that this would eventually become mandatory, but of course, they were hiding it as long as possible to not hurt sales. The game has also already been delisted in countries that do not have access to PSN account services:

https://massivelyop.com/2024/05/05/helldivers-2-delists-from-steam-in-non-psn-countries-as-studio-boss-admits-fault-in-debacle/

They knew this far in advance and to be fair it was also displayed as such on the Steam page and featured in promotional material such as the trailer (in small font.) It wasn't really publicised openly in any official release statement that I have seen. Either it is so commonplace today that it was beneath consideration, or was slightly maliciously hidden while still being present. Or perhaps something else. Make of it what you will.

Youtuber Louis Rossman did a good video on this. If anyone wants a quick understanding about it. Type his name and Helldivers 2.

He talks a lot on the topic of ownership.

Actually it is for needing a PlayStation (PS) account as well. There are so many PC exclusive video gamers who have never made a PlayStation (PS) account ever. My self included.

PS accounts are free.
You can open one, without even owning a PS.