Helldivers 2 devs move to prevent another "Accountgate" as Steam asks players to accept PlayStation EULA following new law on digital games: "No practical change"

GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2 devs move to prevent another “Accountgate” as Steam asks players to accept PlayStation EULA following new law on digital games: “No practical change"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesThird Person ShooterHelldivers 2Helldivers 2 devs move to prevent another “Accountgate” as Steam asks players to accept PlayStation EULA following new law on digital games: “No practical change"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Sony / Arrowhead)

Helldivers 2

However, developer Arrowhead says “there’s no practical change at all,” with community manager Twinbeard also adding on Discord that this whole thing has “nothing to do with [Helldivers 2], Arrowhead orSony[as far as I know].”

The Steam prompt is cookie-cutter as can be, and all you have to do is click “Accept” one time to get back to diving. “Please read this agreement in its entirety,” Steam implores. “You must agree to the terms of the EULA to play Helldivers 2.”

“We’re very aware of the potential risk of this escalating due to ye olde Accountgate (TM), and we’re monitoring it,” he added. “If things flare up we can always make an announcement. Again though, nothing’s changed in, for, or with the game [as far as I know].”

The most relevant section of this “Off-Platform Software Product License Agreement” PlayStation EULA is right at the top: “1. Grant of License.” California’s law dictates that digital stores like thePlayStation Networkmust clarify that you aren’t purchasing a digital game; you are only ever licensing a copy of it. This section of PlayStation’s EULA begins: “The Software is licensed to you, not sold.”

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(Image credit: Arrowhead Game Studios)

Helldivers 2 Chemical Agents warbond screenshot, showing two Helldivers running away from a green fog.

This kind of thing is not at all new or uncommon. Tons of other EULAs say the same thing, and have for a while.Google"Steam EULA” right now and you’ll find a few different variants from publishers likeSquare Enixand Paradox, all of which say something to this effect, if not this exact line.

PlayStation has been using this version, version 2.1, of its EULA for several months according to archived pages, and the Section 1 line above has been around for many years. The EULA just seems to have been served to players again for renewed acceptance on the heels of California’s legislation. It doesn’t seem to be Helldivers 2-specific, either, based on anecdotal reports from other PlayStation PC games.

What is different, compared to an archived copy of version 2.0 dated May 2024, is the exact wording of some sections of this license. Sony added a line to Section 1 in version 2.1: “…beta Software (which may not work properly or at all) is licensed only for the beta period and we can end the beta or stop you accessing at any time.”

Helldivers 2’s Democracy Space Station just passed a big Major Order, but we need to steal – I mean “liberate” a mining base from the Automatons next.

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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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