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's PC release. This addresses player concerns regarding the mandatory PSN account linking for previously released PC ports. The change 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 push for PC gamer integration into its ecosystem. Simultaneously, the company revealed in-game bonuses for players who do link their PSN accounts. These include early suit unlocks 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 access to the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit.
- God of War Ragnarök: The Armor of the Black Bear set (previously only accessible 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 and 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 games remains unconfirmed. Connecting a PSN account still offers advantages such as trophy support and friend management.
The reception to PlayStation's PC foray has been mixed. While many welcome the availability of formerly console-exclusive titles, the PSN requirement drew criticism, particularly in regions lacking PSN access. This was highlighted by the initial, short-lived requirement for Helldivers 2 on Steam, which was swiftly reversed. This latest move suggests Sony is adapting its PC strategy in response to player feedback.
