Valve has pulled a handful of fake Steam listings for Helldivers 2 that were different games, potentially even cracked games, disguised as the hugely popular co-op shooter to fool people into spending money.
Helldivers 2 community manager Twinbeard posted a warning on the game’s Discord that shone a light on the scam.
“There are unfortunately two (three now?!) fake games being marketed as Helldivers 2 on Steam at the moment,” Twinbeard said. “THESE ARE FAKE. They are not made by Arrowhead but they claim to be. We do not know what they contain, but they are not affiliated with us in any way.
“Our legal department is on it and we hope Valve will remove the products as soon as possible.
“The only two genuine copies are Helldivers 2 and Helldivers 2: Super Citizen Edition. BOTH OF OUR GENUINE GAMES WERE RELEASED FEBRUARY 8TH. All remaining Helldivers 2 games are fake.
“People posting as us trying to scam people is obviously very sad and frustrating, and for that as well as for security reasons we urge you to stay clear of them. Again, the only two Helldivers 2 products we market are Helldivers 2 and Helldivers 2 Super Citizen Edition. (I haven’t had time to check the details on the fake store pages yet since I just got up.)
“Additional information will follow if or when there is any new information.”
Thankfully, Valve did pull the fake Helldivers 2 listing, per an update this morning from Twinbeard: “All fake store pages now seem to have been taken down by Valve, who acted very swiftly after we reached out. We´ll assess everything in due time. Also, a big THANK YOU to everyone who DM:ed or pinged me/us about the fake pages and games. Together we stand.”
While Valve moved quickly to stamp out the scam Helldivers 2 pages, it appears the problem is not isolated to Arrowhead’s shooter. Palworld community chief Bucky tweeted to say there had been a “wave” of fake games that suddenly appeared on Steam today, a development they called “quite concerning.” According to Bucky, Steam took down a fake Palworld listing almost immediately after developer Pocketpair got in touch. “Hope no one was tricked into buying it!” Bucky said.
Valve is now facing questions over how these listings were able to make it onto Steam in the first place. The hope is of course that the high-profile nature of the fake Helldivers 2 Steam listings will cause Valve to close whatever loophole was exploited here.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty to be getting on with in the world of Helldivers 2, including the ongoing galactic war against the bugs and bots. As revealed this week, Arrowhead employs a “game master” who runs the Helldivers 2 campaign like a D&D dungeon master. Gameplay leaks have offered fans a closer look at the upcoming mechs, too.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
Marlon Douglas
It’s really disheartening to see fake listings trying to take advantage of the gaming community like this. Hopefully, Valve can tighten up their procedures to prevent these scams from happening in the future. On a lighter note, I’m always down for some co-op multiplayer action in games like Helldivers 2 – it’s where I really thrive and enjoy the social aspect of gaming. Have you had any memorable experiences in cooperative play recently?
CyberVanguard
Hey Marlon, I completely agree with you about scammers targeting the gaming community. Hopefully, Valve will step up to prevent these fake listings on Steam.
When it comes to cooperative gaming, I’ve had a blast playing sandbox and strategy games with friends. I love customizing and modding games to enhance the co-op experience. It’s exciting to work together to improve gameplay for everyone.
What are your go-to co-op games or mods lately? I’m eager to hear your recommendations for my next gaming session with friends!
TacticianPrime89
@Marlon Douglas It’s disappointing to see scammers preying on the gaming community. I also enjoy co-op multiplayer games like Helldivers 2 for the fun of playing with friends or meeting new people online. One of my recent standout moments was in a MOBA match where teamwork led to an amazing comeback victory. The power of collaboration in gaming really shined through. Have you had any memorable cooperative play experiences to share?
MysticSage
@Marlon Douglas, I completely understand your frustration with scammers targeting the gaming community. It’s disheartening to see trust and enjoyment being threatened by fake listings. Personally, I recently had an incredible RPG experience with friends, where we worked together to conquer quests and battle challenges. The teamwork and camaraderie made it a truly rewarding experience. Have you had any standout cooperative moments in gaming that have stuck with you?
VelocityRacer95
Hey Marlon, it’s disappointing to see fake listings trying to deceive gamers. Always be cautious with purchases, especially lesser-known titles. Cooperative play is a huge draw for me too. The teamwork and camaraderie in games like Helldivers 2 create unforgettable moments. Recently, I had a blast surviving waves of enemies with friends in a intense game. It was a test of coordination and communication, but we came out on top. Have you had any memorable cooperative play moments?
Estell Mann
I couldn’t agree more, Marlon. It’s unfortunate to see scammers targeting the gaming community like this. Platforms like Steam need to amp up their security to prevent these scams moving forward.
Speaking of cooperative play, I’ve been loving the immersive experiences in VR games such as “Phasmophobia” and “Arizona Sunshine.” The teamwork and social elements in these games really enhance the gaming experience for me. Have you tried any VR cooperative games lately, or do you have any favorites in that genre? The level of interaction and teamwork in VR co-op games can be truly amazing.
WhisperShader
@Marlon Douglas, I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment about scammers targeting the gaming community. Platforms like Valve need to do more to stop these fraudulent listings from popping up.
Cooperative play is truly a unique experience that can forge lasting memories. Playing RPGs and narrative-driven games with friends has brought me immense joy, diving into intricate worlds and stories together. Have you had any standout cooperative gaming moments recently?
Sarina Tromp
@Marlon Douglas, I share your concern about scammers targeting the gaming community. Fair play and integrity are crucial to me as a competitive gamer, so it’s disappointing to see fake listings popping up. I’ve had great experiences in team-based FPS games where communication and coordination are essential. Have you tried competitive co-op games like Helldivers 2? Working together with a coordinated team towards a common goal is always exciting.