Sony Says You Won't Have to Link a PSN Account to Play Some of Its PC Games Anymore

Sony has made a significant change to its PC gaming policy, announcing that players will no longer need to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to enjoy several of its popular titles. This shift in strategy was detailed in a recent PlayStation.Blog post, with the change taking effect starting with the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC. This decision comes as a response to feedback from the community, who were unhappy with the previous requirement. The move affects a range of games, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. While it's not yet clear how this change will impact other single-player PC ports like Until Dawn or Days Gone, it represents a notable shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming.

Despite dropping the mandatory PSN account link, Sony is keen on encouraging PC players to join its online ecosystem. The company has revealed a series of incentives for those who choose to connect their PlayStation accounts. For instance, players of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 can unlock the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit early. God of War Ragnarök players will receive the Armor of the Black Bear set for Kratos and a resource bundle containing 500 Hacksilver and 250 XP. The Last of Us Part II Remastered offers +50 points to unlock bonus features and extras, along with Jordan’s Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie. Lastly, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered players can access the Nora Valiant outfit. Sony has hinted at working closely with developers to offer more benefits for PlayStation Network account holders in the future.

In addition to these new in-game bonuses, Sony emphasized that linking a PSN account also provides access to other benefits such as trophy support and friend management, which can enhance the overall gaming experience. This move is part of Sony's ongoing effort to refine its presence on the PC platform, where the reception has been mixed. While many gamers appreciate the chance to play formerly console-exclusive titles, the previous PSN requirement was a point of contention, particularly in regions where PSN services are not available. The backlash was particularly evident in the Helldivers 2 community when Sony initially required Steam users to connect a PSN account, only to reverse this decision shortly after due to player feedback.