Sony Drops PSN Account Link Requirement for 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. This addresses player concerns regarding the mandatory PSN account linking previously imposed on PC ports. This change impacts 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 efforts to integrate PC gamers into its ecosystem. To encourage account linking, it's introducing in-game bonuses for connected accounts. These include early suit unlocks in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource bundles for games like God of War Ragnarök. A complete list of current PC incentives is provided below:

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 PSN account holders. The future of PSN account linking for other PC titles is yet to be determined. The company emphasizes that account linking provides additional benefits like trophy support and friend management.

The reception to Sony's PC gaming strategy has been mixed. While many appreciate the availability of previously console-exclusive titles, the PSN requirement drew significant criticism, particularly in regions lacking PSN access. This was highlighted by the short-lived PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 on Steam, which was quickly reversed following player backlash.