Sony Has Learned Absolutely Nothing as It Defends Helldivers 2 PSN Fiasco as Attempt to Let PC Users Enjoy Games “Safely”

The relationship between Sony and PC gamers has always been complicated, but their attempt to mandate PSN account linking for Helldivers 2 several months after its PC launch remains a sore point in that rocky relationship. What started as a celebration of PlayStation’s growing commitment to PC gaming quickly turned into a PR nightmare that’s still having ripple effects today.

Now, months after the controversial decision that led to massive review bombing and community backlash, Sony’s leadership has finally addressed that controversial decision. But their response might just leave you wondering if they’ve learned anything at all from this debacle.

Sony’s Baffling Defense of the Helldivers 2 PSN Requirement

In a recent financial call (via GamesRadar), company president, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki attempted to explain the company’s stance on PSN account requirements for PC games. His words, however, seem to suggest that Sony is more interested in doubling down than making meaningful changes:

We have learned a lot. The way to face the issues regarding PC, for instance. The PlayStation accounts that we have offered – well actually, by offering them, for instance, sometimes that tends to invite pushback.

Well, “pushback” is certainly one way to describe the massive wave of negative reviews and community outrage that followed the PSN requirement announcement. But it gets better.

According to Totoki, this requirement is apparently all about safety:

But for the live service games, in order to maintain order of the gaming so that anybody can enjoy the games safely, we need to create an environment conducive to that and, of course, enjoy the game freely.

Freely? That’s an interesting choice of words, considering the PSN requirement has effectively locked out players from 177 countries where PlayStation Network isn’t available. Nothing says “enjoying games freely” quite like being unable to play them at all!

The Single-Player Paradox

But here’s where Sony’s argument really falls apart. If we accept (for argument’s sake) that live service games like Helldivers 2 need PSN integration for “safety,” what’s the justification for requiring the same for single-player titles? Recent PC ports like God of War: Ragnarök and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered still demand PSN account linking, despite having zero meaningful online components.

It’s a bizarre situation that perfectly goes to show the disconnect between Sony’s words and actions. On the one hand, they’re expanding their PC presence and claiming to have “learned a lot” from past controversies. On the other, they’re maintaining arbitrary restrictions that serve no apparent purpose beyond frustrating potential customers.

The irony isn’t lost on us: while major publishers lecture gamers about the evils of piracy, they simultaneously create barriers that prevent paying customers from accessing their games legally. It’s almost as if Sony is speedrunning “How to Alienate Your Own Audience 101.”

Now, while the review bombing campaign succeeded in forcing Sony to backtrack for those who had purchased Helldivers 2 before the PSN mandate, countless others are still unable to buy the game due to PSN’s regional restrictions. And based on Totoki’s latest statements, don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

What do you think about Sony’s stance on PSN requirements for PC games? Is there any merit to their “safety” argument, or is this just corporate doublespeak? Share your thoughts in the comments below!