After Helldivers 2 was removed from Steam for 177 countries following the recent PlayStation Network account-linking debacle, fans have been eagerly awaiting updates, especially after Sony reversed course on the account-linking decision. A couple updates did come in today — but not ones that fans were hoping for.
Firstly, Helldivers 2 added the Baltics to its restricted countries, as recorded on its SteamDB page. But, more significantly, Ghost of Tsushima has also been restricted in countries where PSN is not available, leading to the same purchase restrictions as Helldivers 2.
Both games are now restricted in Etstonia, Lithuania, and Latvia in addition to the 177 other games on the list.
Helldivers 2 purchase restrictions were updated to add Baltics.
— SteamDB (@SteamDB) May 10, 2024
Furthermore, Ghost of Tsushima now has the same purchase restrictions. pic.twitter.com/TbXjHzCfwb
The development comes just days after Ghost of Tsushima developer Sucker Punch clarified the situation on PSN account-linking on the Director's Cut's upcoming PC release, which is set to launch on May 16. The studio said on May 5 that a PSN account would be required for Legends online multiplayer mode and to use the PlayStation overlay, but not for the single-player portion.
Today's development seems to confirm worries that the PC version would not be available in countries where PSN is not available, especially as Helldivers 2 appears to be an exception to its account-linking rule.
Sony reversed course on the widely-derided decision to require Helldivers 2 players to link their Steam and Playstation Network accounts on May 5, but the hit online shooter is still restricted in countries where PSN is not available. While Helldivers 2's Steam review page has started to recover from the influx of backlash over the original announcement, fans took the addition of the Baltics as restricted countries as a troubling sign today.
"So I guess they're not going to enable purchasing," wrote SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik on X/Twitter.
Sony has not yet responded to IGN's request for comment.
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
