Sony has recently announced a significant change in their policy regarding PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts for some PS5 games ported to PC. This move comes as a response to player feedback and aims to enhance the gaming experience on PC. Read on to discover which games are affected and learn about the incentives for those who choose to use their PSN accounts.
Sony Making PSN Accounts Optional For Some PS5 Games Ported To PC
Sony is now making PSN accounts optional for select PS5 games that have been ported to PC. This change will be implemented following the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s PC port on January 30, 2025.
The games that will no longer require a PSN account for their PC versions include:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- God of War Ragnarok
- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered (scheduled for April 2025)
However, it's important to note that other single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Until Dawn will still require a PSN account for their PC ports.
Incentives For Players With PSN Accounts
While PSN accounts are no longer mandatory for these games, players who choose to sign in with their PSN accounts will receive additional benefits. Sony has outlined the following incentives:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Early unlock of 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, along with a resource bundle (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered: +50 points to activate bonus features and unlock extras, plus Jordan’s Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie.
- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Access to the Nora Valiant outfit.
Sony also mentioned that PlayStation Studios will continue to develop more benefits for players who sign up for a PSN account, indicating that more incentives may be on the horizon.
Sony Received Backlash For Forcing Players To Have A PSN Account
The decision to make PSN accounts optional comes after Sony faced significant backlash in 2024. The requirement for a PSN account for Helldivers 2 on Steam led to its delisting in over 170 countries where PSN is not supported. This move resulted in numerous complaints and negative reviews, prompting Sony to reverse their decision just three days later, admitting they are "still learning what is best for PC players."
Similarly, the PC port of God of War Ragnarok in 2024 also received criticism, with users expressing their discontent on its Steam page. Sony has not provided a clear explanation for why PSN accounts are required for their single-player games.
Currently, PSN is only available in around 70 countries, leaving many players in unsupported regions to create accounts in other countries to play these games. This requirement has raised concerns about privacy, especially given Sony's past issues with data breaches.
