Sony Eases PSN Account Requirement for Select PC Games

Sony has announced that linking a PlayStation Network account is no longer mandatory for some of its PC games, with added perks for those who choose to connect.

In a recent PlayStation.Blog post, Sony outlined its updated approach, stating that the PSN account linking requirement will be lifted starting with the PC release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 tomorrow. This change responds to player feedback criticizing the mandate, and several previously released PC titles will also no longer require a PSN account. Affected games include Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. It remains uncertain how this shift will affect other single-player PC ports, such as Until Dawn or Days Gone.

While easing the requirement, Sony continues to encourage PC gamers to join its online ecosystem. Alongside the announcement, the company revealed new incentives for players who opt to link their PlayStation accounts. These include early access to suits in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource packs for titles like God of War Ragnarök. A complete list of announced PC incentives is provided below.

PlayStation In-Game Perks for PC Players:

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - Early access to Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and Miles Morales 2099 Suit.God of War Ragnarök - Access to the Armor of the Black Bear set for Kratos at the first Lost Items chest in the Realm Between Realms (previously exclusive to New Game+ mode) and a resource pack (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).The Last of Us Part II Remastered - +50 points to unlock bonus features and extras. Jordan’s Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie.Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - Access to Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony hinted at ongoing collaborations with PlayStation Studios developers to introduce “additional perks for players who register a PlayStation Network account.” No details have been shared about whether other PC titles will follow suit in dropping the requirement. Additionally, Sony emphasized that linking an account provides benefits like trophy support and friend management features.

PlayStation’s expansion into the PC gaming space has received mixed reactions. While many gamers appreciate access to titles previously exclusive to consoles, the PSN account requirement has been a point of contention. For single-player games like God of War or The Last of Us, players found the mandate unnecessary, particularly in regions where PSN is unavailable, leading to significant pushback from PC gamers.

The issue gained traction within the Helldivers 2 community last May when PlayStation mandated Steam users link a PlayStation Network account to play. Following strong opposition, the company reversed its decision just days later.