Earth Defense Force 6 Removes Controversial Requirement

Earth Defense Force 6, the latest entry in the popular sci-fi shooter series, has been met with a largely positive response. However, many PC players raised concerns about the necessity of linking their Epic Games account for online co-op gameplay.

In response, developer Sandlot has rolled out a recent update, shared on Steam, that eliminates this requirement. Players can now tackle online missions without needing to sign into an Epic Games account. The update notes: “This application has been modified so that you can play online missions without signing into your Epic Games Account.”

For those who previously connected their Epic and Steam accounts, a simple unlinking process can be completed on the Epic Games website by following these steps.

This change aligns with a broader trend in the gaming industry as developers react to player feedback regarding the need for additional account sign-ins. Players have increasingly expressed their dissatisfaction, often leading to backlash against titles that impose such restrictions. Recent discussions surrounding new game releases have frequently centered on similar account login issues, particularly noted in titles from the PlayStation universe, including Helldivers 2. Developers from Arrowhead Game Studios have publicly voiced their discontent with the PlayStation Network account stipulation for that title.

The situation is compounded by ongoing critiques of a similar nature for God of War Ragnarok‘s PC version, which also mandated a PSN account. This decision resulted in mixed reviews upon launch on Steam, although the ratings have since improved to a “Mostly Positive” status. A community member even created a mod to bypass the account requirement, though this has since been removed.

As shifting expectations influence player experiences, we’ve seen major publishers like Ubisoft announcing a return to day-one game releases on Steam, a platform they previously abandoned for exclusive launches on their own service. This move, along with upcoming titles like The Dragon Age: The Veilguard launching directly on Steam, is set to enhance player accessibility, particularly for those using the Steam Deck.