Sony has since walked back its stance on account-linking for Steam players, but the whole fiasco raises questions for the future.
Few games have ever used their live service nature as well as Helldivers 2 has done so far.
One of this year's biggest surprises, Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 is a phenomenal co-op game. However, it could be even better.
The two surprise hits of this quarter have also had extensive development periods but showcase a fundamental difference in their approaches.
Despite multiple server issues, big-name competitors and a live-service approach, Arrowhead's shooter continues to pull in players.
Helldivers 2 is already an exceptional co-op shooter, but a few quality-of-life changes and additions would improve it further.
Both titles aim for live-service excellence, but Arrowhead's shooter is the clear winner with its gameplay, structure and monetization.
The live-service third-person shooter has seen some mixed reactions to a few practices, but player impressions are positive so far.
Here's what you should know about Arrowhead Game Studios and Sony's upcoming co-op shooter.
