Sony Removes PSN Link Requirement for Select PC Games

Sony loosens its grip on PSN account linking for PC games, offering incentives for those who connect.

In a recent PlayStation Blog post, Sony announced a strategic shift, eliminating the requirement to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account for several PC titles, starting with Marvel's Spider-Man 2's PC release. This decision addresses player concerns regarding the mandatory PSN account linking for previously released PC ports. The change affects Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. The impact on other single-player PC ports remains unclear.

However, Sony isn't abandoning its push for PC gamer integration into its ecosystem. Alongside the removal of the PSN linking requirement, the company unveiled in-game bonuses for players who do connect their accounts. These include early suit unlocks in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource bundles for titles like God of War Ragnarök.

Here's a summary of the announced PC incentives:

PlayStation In-Game Content Incentives on PC:

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Early unlock of the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit.
• God of War Ragnarök: Access to the Armor of the Black Bear set (previously only available in New Game+) and a resource bundle (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered: +50 points to activate bonus features, unlocking extras including Ellie's Jordan's Jacket skin.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Access to the Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony plans to collaborate with PlayStation Studios developers to provide further benefits for players linking their PSN accounts. The future of PSN account linking for other PC games remains unconfirmed. Connecting an account still offers advantages such as trophy support and friend management.

The reception to Sony's PC game releases has been mixed. While many appreciate the availability of previously console-exclusive titles, the mandatory PSN account linking sparked considerable backlash, particularly in regions where PSN isn't accessible. This was notably highlighted by the brief, and quickly reversed, requirement for a PSN account to play Helldivers 2 on Steam.