This article explores how a new title sidesteps a key issue encountered by another popular live-service game. It sets the stage to examine how specific design choices can impact player inclusivity and overall reception.
Helldivers II has enjoyed significant popularity among live-service enthusiasts, yet it faced a major setback last year when the inclusion of a mandatory PSN account led to widespread player dissatisfaction. As a result, those in regions lacking access to PSN were excluded, sparking considerable controversy.
Bungie's upcoming release, Marathon, will avoid this complication entirely. Sharing the publishing responsibilities with Sony, the game has been announced via a message on Discord that no PSN account will be required for players on PC and Xbox.
This decision is likely to broaden Marathon's appeal, making the game accessible to a wider audience at launch. Furthermore, anticipation is mounting as a detailed gameplay reveal is set for tomorrow, April 12th, which will include another live stream from Bungie following an extended period of low profile.