It seems like they finally heard the outcry. In a brief and understated announcement, PlayStation revealed that “an account for PlayStation Network will become optional for these titles on PC,” highlighting the upcoming PC launches for Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us Part II. This change comes eight months after PlayStation sparked widespread frustration among PC gamers by making a PSN account mandatory for Helldivers 2, and subsequently, for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. While the requirement for Helldivers 2 was quickly reversed after a wave of negative feedback, the company initially appeared unbothered by the backlash. Now, it seems they’ve acknowledged that the compulsory sign-up wasn’t well received.
The announcement itself is straightforward and simple, framing the decision as a way for PlayStation to provide “in-game content incentives” to PC players who choose to sign up, rather than affixing it as a requirement. According to their statement, “Players who still opt to sign into a PlayStation Network account will also enjoy added benefits like trophies and friend management,” followed by a breakdown of extra bonuses available to those who link their accounts for each game.
This approach bears resemblance to their strategy for Horizon Zero Dawn: Forbidden West, where linking Steam and PSN accounts rewarded players with a bonus outfit and spear for the character Aloy. It appears this may be the blueprint moving forward, although PlayStation stops short of explicitly confirming that. They simply state that the account requirement for previous titles has been lifted. We’ll have to wait until Death Stranding 2’s release to see if this is the new norm.
The entire scenario has been quite perplexing. The account requirement for Helldivers 2 was dropped after players—along with the game’s developers—voiced their displeasure. The ensuing drama even saw a community manager lose their job. Following this, the PSN account requirement was enforced on previously mentioned titles, many of which were single-player experiences that didn’t need an online connection (barring unacknowledged DRM motives, of course).
This mandate rendered the games inaccessible to PC players in over 100 countries where signing up for Sony’s services was simply not feasible, alongside frustrating many potential players who lack a PlayStation console. Most recently, the company stated that a PSN account would also be necessary for the anticipated PC release of The Last of Us Part II in April. However, this obligation has evaporated as well. Now, signing in is entirely optional, with a bonus in-game jacket inspired by Naughty Dog’s forthcoming sci-fi title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, offered to those who choose to link their accounts.
Let’s hope this marks the conclusion of the matter. The initial decision was misguided, causing annoyance among countless players, likely benefiting only a handful of analysts within Sony’s corporate hierarchy. With the requirement now abolished, we can refocus on what truly matters: assessing the quality of the games themselves.
Priyam Gera