Y'all, Helldivers 2 is just so much fun. I would not have assumed at the beginning of 2024, just after completing Baldur's Gate 3, that I would be championing an always online squad shooter - but this game is just so damn enjoyable. Furthermore, the community has been so engaged and invested in the spirit of liberty that it's made me prioritize a style of game that I thought I had mostly left in my past.

Now we're in the middle of this huge nonsense with PSN and it has completely sucked all the air out of the room. I understand why people are upset and I don't agree with the shit that Sony is trying to pull. I just want to keep this magic going.

I don't have much to say other than try to maintain some empathy for Arrowhead, as this seems to be out of their hands. They genuinely seem to want to just make a kick-ass game.

Keep up the good work Helldivers.

As found on the Steam community page

So just wanted to rant about something else besides PSN. A buddy of mine wanted to play a bit as kind of a potential last hurrah so we went in to play a two player game on suicide and just immediately got overwhelmed with enemies on something we normally hold our own.

Dropped down into extreme after a few losses because we just wanted a easy win, just got overrun at the extraction multiple times with the hilltop extraction point with gobs of enemies including I think at one point 3 chargers 2 guys.

Just a wtf moment with asking what were they thinking here with this change, killing the experience and the fun.

Looks like Arrowhead might be moving forward with PSN despite "internal discussions".

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Each time you use a PlayStation console or a PlayStation app on a PlayStation console or other devices (such as a mobile phone or PC), we may automatically collect information about your use of that device and app. If you sign into an Account, we may combine it with other information we have for that Account.

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The list just goes on here, but to boil it down: Sony wants dat sweet sweet data.

Source: https://old.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1cjyll7/some_discord_updates/

Also, Spitz (a CM at AH) isn't being a jerk. The other images show them having a much better tone than yesterday.

The following is a paste of the "account linking FAQ they've posted on their discord containing time-frames for when the change kicks in. Particularly funny is the subtle "make an account in a different country" of point #3:

"Here are the questions and answers that we have received regarding mandatory account linking so far. We will update this thread with any additional info if we receive it!

**1. What’s the benefit of having a PlayStation Network Account? I don’t have a PlayStation. ** Account linking provides a consistent and reliable means of reporting, moderation, actioning and appeal for ALL Helldivers 2 players. We take online safety seriously and this is our main way to protect players from griefing and abuse: by enabling the banning and suspension of players that engage in that type of behaviour.

By linking accounts, you have the benefit of our extensive support team infrastructure for reporting these bad actors (and our appeals process if you are banned/suspended). This all helps us to make Helldivers 2 a safer and more enjoyable space for everyone.

**2. Why do I need a PlayStation Network account now? I didn’t when the game launched on Steam. ** Due to technical issues at the launch of HELLDIVERS™ 2, account linking was temporarily made optional. Now that the issue has been resolved, this grace period is expiring and we are reinstating the requirement to link accounts.

**3. I am currently in a country or territory that is not PSN-enabled. Can I still sign in and link an account? ** PSN requires users to register in their country or territory of residence. Individuals who are traveling, working, or studying abroad may create an account in a country or territory different from the one in which they are currently located.

**4. When is this happening? And how do I connect my PSN account to my Steam account? ** Current players on Steam: Current players on Steam will start to see the mandatory login from May 30th and will be required to have linked a Steam and PlayStation Network account by June 4th. New players on Steam: You will begin to see the account linking option appear when booting up Helldivers 2 from May 6th. To connect your accounts follow the prompts on screen. You will be required to link a Steam and PlayStation Network account from May 6th.

**5. How will my data for account creation be used? Is it safe? ** However you choose to play, we strive to make gaming welcoming, secure, and inclusive for everyone. We’ve created easy-to-use tools to help you take control of who you interact with, how we use your personal information, and how it is displayed and shared.

You can find more information on our privacy and safety features here: https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/privacy-security-safety/

For more details about how we use your personal information, check the “Information Sharing and Transfers” section of our Privacy Policy: https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/legal/privacy-policy/

**6. I already have Helldivers 2 on PS5 and Steam, do I have to make a new account for the Steam version? ** No, you do not need to make a new PlayStation Network account. You can connect your current PlayStation Network account to your Steam account.

**7. If I own Helldivers 2 on PS5 and Steam, will my progress be shared between platforms? ** No, progress on the PS5 and Steam version of Helldivers 2 remains separate at this time.

**8. How do I sign up for a PlayStation Network account? ** You can create an account online via your phone/PC browser before you launch Helldivers 2, or you can create an account online when prompted to upon launching Helldivers 2.

Support page: https://www.playstation.com/support/account/create-account-for-psn/

Direct account creation page:https://id.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/id/create_account_ca/"

Any other suggestions for things we can do to push back against Sony?

https://twitter.com/Pilestedt/status/1786417563628437933

It's not there anymore, but was earlier.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14672985

A few new people from The Gamer’s Tavern just joined us in the fight for Democracy in Helldivers 2. They too shall soon experience the pain of dropping your stratagem!

From Discord

🛠️ PATCH 01.000.301 ⚙️

🌍 Overview

For this patch, we have addressed some crashes as well as performance improvements following the decline from the last patch:

• Performance improvements
• Crash fixes

🔧 Fixes

• Fix for a crash that could occur during the post mission end screen
• Fix for crash which could occur when destroying automaton tanks.

🧠 Known Issues [Unchanged since patch 1.000.300]

These are issues that were either introduced by this patch and are being worked on, or are from a previous version and have not yet been fixed.

• Damage-over-time effects may only apply when dealt by the host. We expect to have this fixed in the next patch.
• Reinforcement may not be available for some players who join a game in progress.
• Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.
• Game may crash if the host leaves while dead and rejoins the same play session.
• Game may crash if the player changes the text language while on a mission.
• Various issues involving friend invites and cross-play:
• Friend Request cannot be accepted when the requesting player changed their username before the request was accepted.
• Cross-platform friend invites might not show up in the Friend Requests tab.
• Players cannot unfriend players befriended via friend code.
• Players cannot unblock players that were not in their Friends list beforehand.
• Players may experience delays in Medals and Super Credits payouts.
• Enemies that bleed out do not progress Personal Orders and Eradicate missions.
• Scopes on some weapons such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle are slightly misaligned.
• Arc weapons sometimes behave inconsistently and sometimes misfire.
• Spear’s targeting is inconsistent, making it hard to lock-on to larger enemies.
• Stratagem beam might attach itself to an enemy but it will deploy to its original location.
• Explosions do not break your limbs (except for when you fly into a rock).
• Area around Automaton Detector Tower makes blue stratagems such as the Hellbomb bounce and be repelled when trying to call them down close to the tower.
• Planet liberation reaches 100% at the end of every Defend mission.

Couldn't figure out now to cross post this from the games community