What can we learn from the Helldivers 2 PSN Linking Fallout?

[@Test-n7y2l]

Another great one, thanks J. Only thing we need is the top hat

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

So you've been on my show long enough to know that I've talked about the damage to my C2/C3 spine. Doctor advises not wearing the top hat for a while, so we can do more work on my neck That's why I can't wear the collar speaker anymore.

[@Test-n7y2l]

​@@ParadoxGamingNetwork That makes a lot of sense. I imagine that thing is heavy. 🎩

[@Tellasar]

Really like listening to this kind of videos. Thanks for making those!

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

This one ended up being a rambling mess, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@StickNik]

My conspiracy theory is that Arrowhead didn't want PSN mandatory, but had no out to block it properly, so Lisan al Gaib Pilstedt knew that PSN would fail at launch, and had the disable solution handy since the game was developed for years without it as a requirement. After the game was overwhelmed but launched to such success and was already sold to every territory that couldn't access PSN, the battle was won. Sony was going to lose either way, whether they doubled down and let all the refunds go through for those 177 countries, or backpedal like they did. He found the narrow path through.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

I would agree with that.

[@ralmslb]

4:25 The reason Discord didn't matter, is because this Helldivers 2 fiasco, was a 3 players situation. You had the players, the developer Arrowhead and Sony as publisher, the ones that enforced the PSN change. And Sony only back tracked after the massive number of bad reviews. Spitz clearly realized that Sony gave no shits on what people were saying on the official Discord, as such, in this specific situation, I agree with his decision to play on the players side and tell people to go show their anger where it hurts Sony the most, sales.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

I don't think Sony cared about the negative reviews. I think Sony cared about the massive amount of refunds they would going to have. But remember, hurting Sony for sales also hurts the developer since (depending on the contract specifics of course) the developer gets paid a flat rate and then a percentage.

[@baska-]

If Steam hadn't allowed refunds nothing would have happened. The true hero here is Steam.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

I would agree that this is an example of Steam being caught in a weird middle ground. Steam is a distributor that often fills publisher rolls, and in this case they were also going to get screwed. I think Steam decided to cut their losses and do the right thing.

[@baska-]

@@ParadoxGamingNetwork they could've just said "I don't care if you're from a region that can't create a PSN account, you have over 2 hours of gameplay so no refunds for you". Not trying to be a Valve bootlicker, but among the big gaming corporations they're probably the least awful.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

Actually for Europe they couldn't do that. For the United States with our lack of consumer protection yes. European players would have been able to get a refund.

[@BobbyBicco]

Why just not offer cosmetic rewards like twitch drops etc if you link your account... This move felt so rushed and they had at least 6 months to think of a strategy, sorry I just feel like someone should have csught this.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

Twitch drops are something more companies should do. Such an cheap affordable solution.

[@arandomkaz]

The thing is gamers are such a pain to manage, since they eat up everything that is given to them. I keep seeing ppl on social media saying how PC gamers are whiny and complaining all the time... Dude we wouldn't need to do it if we said no in the first place. Just because aomething is "normal nowadays" that doesn't make it right

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head. Gamers are being painted as "whiny" but we've reached a point where PC capability far exceeds console capability. I'm not saying there shouldn't be games made with cross-platform play, however, not every game needs to be cross platform enabled. It needs to be the right game, for the right reasons, and the reason can't be the accountant saying "we could make more money" A long time ago in a land far away PC gaming lagged behind console gaming. Now the tables are turned. The Helldivers 2 players deserve a round of applause. They basically stood up to Sony and forced change.

[@darkstalkerknight63]

Helldivers, mission failed

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

OOF

[@GrinningJack]

Sony bad

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

Sony no bad Sony just dumb dumb

[@ralizek497]

Mentioning something might happen, then saying it wont be required, then dropping it on someone without warning... Telling what 85%+ of your customers "thanks for the money, your banned from our product you paid for, get fucked" I don't own HD2, HOWEVER, this PSN crap is enough for me to say I will never purchase anything from this company.

[@ParadoxGamingNetwork]

Yeah this won't keep me from playing other Playstation games, but I think it was a dumbass move on Sony's part