Helldivers 2 has caused over 20k Steam accounts to be banned

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Reliability of the “20k bans” claim

  • Several commenters question the article’s sourcing.
  • The 20k figure appears to originate from a Russian user-generated clickbait-style post with no hard evidence.
  • Others note additional reports saying many bans are for cheating (e.g., CS2), fraud (VPN + stolen cards), and bots, not specifically Helldivers 2.
  • Overall: scale, cause, and exact type of bans are described as unclear and possibly misleading.

Responsibility: Sony vs Valve

  • Sony:
    • Introduced PSN account requirement and regional restrictions after launch.
    • Delisted Helldivers 2 in many countries, including those without PSN presence and some not under US sanctions.
    • Seen as having “bungled” requirements and communication.
  • Valve/Steam:
    • Enforces bans for circumventing regional restrictions and possibly sanctions, typically via VPN or region tricks.
    • Some argue this is “on Sony” for creating the situation; others say the account bans are purely Valve’s decision.

VPNs, region pricing, and sanctions

  • Users in Russia/Belarus and other blocked regions use VPNs or foreign payment methods to buy or play the game.
  • Valve has long opposed using VPNs to exploit cheaper regional pricing and now also to bypass geoblocks.
  • Debate on whether Valve is legally compelled to enforce sanctions or doing it voluntarily for risk management.

Severity and nature of bans

  • Disagreement on what a “ban” means:
    • Some claim full loss of account and all games.
    • Others say bans may mainly restrict purchases/activations while keeping existing games playable.
  • The exact enforcement pattern in this wave is not clearly documented in the thread.

Digital ownership and trust in platforms

  • Many see this as a reminder that users do not truly “own” digital games.
  • Concerns that a single ToS breach or political change can jeopardize an entire library.
  • Some contrast this with physical games, which remain playable offline, though that is eroding.

PSN availability and regional inequality

  • PSN is absent in many countries (e.g., some Baltics, parts of Central Asia), making PSN-locked PC games inaccessible or unplayable.
  • Some describe Sony’s regional strategy as neglectful or overly cautious about sanctions circumvention, harming innocent third-country players.

Political and ethical framing

  • Some view bans on Russian/Belarusian users and similar moves (e.g., other services blocking Russia) as politically motivated collective punishment.
  • Others argue economic pressure and strict compliance are legitimate tools against sanctioned states.

Helldivers 2 gameplay impressions

  • Mixed but generally positive comments on the game itself:
    • Praised for theme, co-op gameplay, and Starship Troopers–style vibe.
    • Criticized for bugs, crashes, difficulty design, and being content-light compared to other co-op titles.