Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) Account Policy Shift for PC Games

Sony has revised its PSN account requirements for certain PS5 games ported to PC, offering both optional access and incentives for account holders. This change, effective after the January 30, 2025 release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC, impacts several titles.

PSN Accounts Now Optional for Select PC Ports

Players can now enjoy PC versions of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and the upcoming The Last of Us Part II Remastered (April 2025) without a linked PSN account. However, titles like Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut and Until Dawn will still require PSN logins.

Incentives for PSN Account Linking

While PSN accounts are no longer mandatory, Sony provides benefits for those who choose to link their accounts: trophies, friend management, and exclusive in-game bonuses. These include:

• Marvel's Spider-Man 2: Early unlock of the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and Miles Morales 2099 Suit.
• God of War Ragnarök: Access to the Armor of the Black Bear set and a resource bundle (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered: 50 bonus points, and Ellie's Jordan's Jacket skin.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: The Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony indicates further incentives may be added in the future.

Addressing Past Backlash

This policy shift follows criticism received in 2024 regarding PSN account requirements for PC games like Helldivers 2 (which was briefly delisted due to PSN limitations in many countries) and God of War Ragnarök. The limited global availability of PSN (approximately 70 countries) presented accessibility challenges for players worldwide. Concerns regarding data privacy and the need to share personal information with a third-party service also contributed to the negative reception. This change suggests Sony is adapting its approach to better accommodate the PC gaming community.