Some PlayStation PC Ports Now Playable Without PSN Account

Sony has recently announced a significant change that will enhance the gaming experience for PC players. Starting with the PC port of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on January 30, 2025, PSN accounts will no longer be mandatory for playing certain PS5 games on PC. This policy shift will apply to a select list of titles, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and the upcoming The Last of Us Part II Remastered, slated for release in April 2025. However, not all games will follow this trend; PC ports of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, Until Dawn, and other single-player titles will still necessitate a PSN account.

This move comes as a response to player feedback and aims to make gaming more accessible on PC. Yet, Sony isn't just removing the requirement; they're also sweetening the deal for those who choose to use their PSN accounts. Players who sign in will enjoy perks such as trophies, friend management, and exclusive in-game bonuses. Here's what you can look forward to if you link your PSN account:

• 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 unlock bonus features and extras, plus 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 expressed that they will continue to explore additional incentives for PSN account holders, ensuring that the benefits keep evolving.

The decision to make PSN accounts optional follows a period of criticism Sony faced in 2024. The requirement for a PSN account to play Helldivers 2 on Steam sparked significant backlash, leading to the game's delisting in over 170 countries without PSN support. The negative feedback and reviews prompted Sony to reverse their decision just three days later, acknowledging the need to better understand what PC players want. Similarly, the PC port of God of War Ragnarok faced criticism for the same reason, though Sony has yet to clarify why PSN is required for their single-player games.

The issue of PSN account requirements is further complicated by the fact that PSN is only supported in around 70 countries, leaving a vast majority of the world's gamers unable to access it without creating an account in a supported region. This not only poses a geographical barrier but also raises concerns about privacy, especially given Sony’s past issues with data breaches. By making PSN accounts optional for some of their most popular titles, Sony is taking steps to address these concerns and improve the gaming experience for PC players worldwide.