Sony has recently announced a significant change in its policy for some PS5 games ported to PC, making PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts optional. This decision comes into effect following the release of the PC port of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on January 30, 2025. This shift in policy reflects Sony's response to player feedback and aims to enhance the gaming experience on PC.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 And Other Games No Longer Require PSN Accounts To Play On PC
Several popular titles will no longer require a PSN account to enjoy on PC, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, set for release in April 2025. However, not all games follow this new direction; PC ports of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, Until Dawn, and other single-player games still necessitate a PSN account.
Incentives For Players With PSN Accounts
While the PSN account is now optional for certain games, Sony is offering incentives to encourage players to sign in. These benefits include trophies, friend management, and exclusive in-game bonuses:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - Early unlock suits: the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit.
- God of War Ragnarok - Access to the Armor of the Black Bear set for Kratos at the first Lost Items chest in the Realm Between Realms, plus a resource bundle of 500 Hacksilver and 250 XP.
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered - +50 points to activate bonus features and unlock extras, along with Jordan’s Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie.
- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - Gain access to the Nora Valiant outfit.
Sony has indicated that more incentives may be introduced in the future, as game creators at PlayStation Studios continue to innovate and enhance player experiences.
Sony Received Backlash For Forcing Players To Have A PSN Account
The decision to make PSN accounts optional follows significant backlash Sony faced earlier in 2024. The controversy began when Sony announced that Helldivers 2 required its Steam players to link a PSN account, leading to its delisting in over 170 countries without PSN support. After receiving numerous complaints and negative reviews on Steam, Sony reversed this decision within three days, acknowledging the need to better understand what PC players want.
Similarly, the PC port of God of War Ragnarok in 2024 also faced criticism, with users expressing their discontent through negative reviews on its Steam page. Sony has yet to clarify why PSN accounts are required for some of their single-player games, a decision that affects players in over 170 countries not supported by PSN. This requirement forces players to create accounts in supported regions, raising privacy concerns especially in light of Sony's past data breaches.
