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- Sony’s PSN requirement, which made the game unavailable in 177 countries, caused 97% of Helldivers 2 players to leave.
- A recent update shows Sony has removed purchase restrictions in 44 regions, offering hope for regaining lost players.
- Despite the progress, the PSN requirement remains a hurdle, and convincing players to return to Helldivers 2 after its struggles will be challenging for Sony.
Despite being one of the strongest launches of 2024, Helldivers 2 spiraled toward disaster because Sony was pushing the game down the wrong path. The infamous PSN requirement made the game unavailable in 177 countries, reducing its player base by a staggering 97%.
However, a new SteamDB update shows that the purchase restriction has been removed for various regions worldwide. Thus, 44 regions have been removed from the previous 177 region-locked lists.
Why It Matters: Ever since the region lock, many people lost access to Helldivers 2, and with an uplift of purchase restriction in a few of those regions, maybe the game can gather back its lost player base.
Although the PSN requirement has yet to be lifted, removing regions such as Bermuda, Gibraltar, and Niue is a step in the right direction. Sony may remove more regions from the list in the future, but that remains to be seen.
Helldivers 2 has already lost the majority of its PC player base, and convincing players to buy back the game would be difficult for Sony.
Moreover, this change may also follow other first-party PlayStation games, such as the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. PlayStation games already tend to flop on PC due to being region-locked.
Looking at SteamDB, it appears they are repeatedly adding and removing the same regions. Hence, taking these changes with a grain of salt is important.
The removal of purchase restrictions in several regions is a positive step but feels like a drop in the ocean. It has been said multiple times, but the PSN requirement should end once and for all.
Is Helldivers 2 available for you to buy after these restriction removals? Let us know in the comments below, or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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