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

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 significant shift in its PC gaming strategy. Starting with the PC release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, players will no longer be required to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play select titles. This change addresses player concerns regarding the previously mandatory PSN account linking for several PC ports. The updated policy affects 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 online ecosystem entirely. While PSN linking is no longer mandatory, the company will offer in-game bonuses to players who do connect their accounts. These include early unlocks for suits in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource bundles for games like God of War Ragnarök.

Here's a summary of the announced PC incentives:

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 Jordan’s Jacket for Ellie.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Access to the Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony plans to collaborate with PlayStation Studios developers to provide further benefits for players who link their PSN accounts, including features like trophy support and friend management. The company hasn't confirmed whether other PC games will also drop the PSN linking requirement.

The reception to Sony's PC gaming initiative has been mixed. While many appreciate the availability of previously console-exclusive titles, the PSN account requirement drew considerable backlash, particularly in regions where PSN isn't readily accessible. This was notably highlighted by the brief, and quickly reversed, PSN linking requirement for Helldivers 2 on Steam last year.