Valve has pulled a handful of faux Steam listings for Helldivers 2 that have been completely different video games disguised because the massively widespread co-op shooter to idiot individuals into spending cash.
No, Helldivers 2 isn’t 75%/50% off on Steam. Another person is utilizing a unique sport and renaming it precisely like a Helldivers 2 itemizing as a rip-off pic.twitter.com/NLy1uUoxd6
— Wario64 (@Wario64) March 1, 2024
Helldivers 2 neighborhood supervisor Twinbeard posted a warning on the sport’s Discord that shone a lightweight on the rip-off.
“There are sadly two (three now?!) faux video games being marketed as Helldivers 2 on Steam for the time being,” Twinbeard stated. “THESE ARE FAKE. They aren’t made by Arrowhead however they declare to be. We have no idea what they include, however they don’t seem to be affiliated with us in any means.
“Our authorized division is on it and we hope Valve will take away the merchandise as quickly as potential.
“The one two real copies are Helldivers 2 and Helldivers 2: Tremendous Citizen Version. BOTH OF OUR GENUINE GAMES WERE RELEASED FEBRUARY 8TH. All remaining Helldivers 2 video games are faux.
“Individuals posting as us making an attempt to rip-off individuals is clearly very unhappy and irritating, and for that in addition to for safety causes we urge you to remain away from them. Once more, the one two Helldivers 2 merchandise we market are Helldivers 2 and Helldivers 2 Tremendous Citizen Version. (I have not had time to verify the small print on the faux retailer pages but since I simply obtained up.)
“Extra info will comply with if or when there’s any new info.”
Fortunately, Valve has now pulled the faux Helldivers 2 listings, per an replace this morning from Twinbeard: “All faux retailer pages now appear to have been taken down by Valve, who acted very swiftly after we reached out. We´ll assess the whole lot in due time. Additionally, a giant THANK YOU to everybody who DM:ed or pinged me/us concerning the faux pages and video games. Collectively we stand.”
Whereas Valve moved shortly to stamp out the rip-off Helldivers 2 pages, it seems the issue isn’t remoted to Arrowhead’s shooter. Palworld neighborhood chief Bucky tweeted to say there had been a “wave” of faux video games that immediately appeared on Steam at present, a growth they referred to as “fairly regarding.” In accordance with Bucky, Steam took down a faux Palworld itemizing nearly instantly after developer Pocketpair obtained in contact. “Hope nobody was tricked into shopping for it!” Bucky stated.
We had 2 pop up for Palworld at present, obtained them taken down nearly instantly once we emailed Steam.
They don’t seem to be new apps, principally, they take an appid of their current sport and simply swap the identify and photos to that of yours. In our case, each video games have been small Russian video games.
— Bucky | Palworld & Craftopia (@Bucky_cm) March 1, 2024
Valve is now going through questions over how these listings have been in a position to make it onto Steam within the first place. What seems to have occurred is a developer, or numerous builders, modified retailer itemizing info for his or her current video games to seem like Helldivers 2 or Palworld. Not solely did this embody the secret itself and related property, however the identify of the developer and writer, hyperlinks and all. The hope is after all that the high-profile nature of the faux Helldivers 2 Steam listings will trigger Valve to shut no matter loophole was exploited right here.
In the meantime, there’s lots to be getting on with on the earth of Helldivers 2, together with the continued galactic struggle towards the bugs and bots. As revealed this week, Arrowhead employs a “sport grasp” who runs the Helldivers 2 marketing campaign like a D&D dungeon grasp. Gameplay leaks have provided followers a better take a look at the upcoming mechs, too.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You may attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.