Sony Removes PSN Account Requirement for Some PC Games

Sony has made a significant shift in its approach to PC gaming by announcing that players will no longer need to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to enjoy some of its PC titles. This change, detailed in a recent PlayStation.Blog post, will begin with the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC. This move comes in response to feedback from the community who have expressed frustration with the previous requirement. The list of games that will no longer necessitate a PSN account includes Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. It remains to be seen how this policy shift will affect other single-player-focused PC ports like Until Dawn or Days Gone.

Despite dropping the mandatory account linking, Sony is keen on encouraging PC gamers to join its online ecosystem. The company revealed that players who choose to connect their PSN accounts will receive exclusive in-game bonuses. For instance, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 players can unlock the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit early. God of War Ragnarök players will get the Armor of the Black Bear set for Kratos, along with a resource bundle of 500 Hacksilver and 250 XP. The Last of Us Part II Remastered offers an additional 50 points for bonus features and the Jordan’s Jacket skin for Ellie. Meanwhile, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered players can access the Nora Valiant outfit. Sony plans to collaborate further with PlayStation Studios to introduce more benefits for PSN account holders. Additionally, connecting a PSN account provides access to features like trophy support and friend management.

Sony's foray into PC gaming has elicited a mixed response from the community. While many appreciate the chance to officially experience titles previously exclusive to consoles, the mandatory PSN account linking drew criticism, especially from players in regions where PSN services are not available. The requirement sparked significant backlash, notably within the Helldivers 2 community last year when Sony initially mandated PSN account linking for Steam users. However, the company quickly reversed this decision following the outcry.