Helldivers 2 will soon require all Steam players to sign in with a PlayStation Network account

The Steam version of Helldivers will soon require all players to sign in with a PlayStation Network account.

The requirement was present when the game originally launched, but after its unexpected early success led to severe technical issues, it was temporarily removed.

Now, a message from Sony on the game’s Steam page confirms that the requirement will return on May 30, and that all players will need to have linked their Steam and PlayStation Network account by June 4.

“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,” Sony said. “That grace period will now expire.

“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.

“As such, as of May 6, all new Helldivers 2 players on Steam will be required to connect their Steam account to a PlayStation Network account.

“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. PlayStation Network accounts are free and easy to set up using this link.

“We understand that while this may be an inconvenience to some of you, this step will help us to continue to build a community that you are all proud to be a part of.”

Helldivers 2’s next premium Warbond, titled Polar Patriots, will be released on May 9. The DLC will include new weapons, armour, emotes and capes.

According to research firm Circana, which this week published its US games industry sales report for March, Helldivers 2 already ranks 7th in lifetime US dollar sales for Sony published games after just two months of availability.