Some PlayStation PC Ports Drop PSN Account Requirement

Sony has recently announced a significant update for gamers: PSN accounts are no longer mandatory for playing certain PS5 games ported to PC. This change will take effect following the release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2's PC port on January 30, 2025. Read on to discover which games are impacted and learn more about the incentives offered to those with PSN accounts.

Sony Making PSN Accounts Optional For Some PS5 Games Ported To PC

Sony has decided to make PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts optional for select PS5 games ported to PC. This shift in policy was detailed in a blog post on PlayStation.Blog. Starting with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s PC release, players will not need a PSN account to enjoy the game.

The games that will no longer require a PSN account for their PC versions include:

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
• God of War Ragnarok
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered (scheduled for April 2025)

However, it's important to note that other single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Until Dawn will still require a PSN account for their PC ports.

Incentives For Players With PSN Accounts

While PSN accounts are no longer a necessity for playing these PC ports, Sony is offering incentives to encourage players to sign in with their PSN accounts. These benefits include access to trophies, friend management, and exclusive in-game bonuses:

• 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, plus a resource bundle (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered: +50 points to activate bonus features and unlock extras, including Jordan’s Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Access to the Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony has indicated that PlayStation Studios will continue to develop additional benefits for players who choose to use a PSN account.

Sony Received Backlash For Forcing Players To Have A PSN Account

In 2024, Sony faced significant backlash after announcing that Helldivers 2 required Steam players to link a PSN account for "safety and security" reasons. This decision led to Helldivers 2 being delisted in over 170 countries where PSN is not supported. Following widespread criticism and negative reviews on Steam, Sony reversed this decision just three days later, acknowledging that they are "still learning what is best for PC players."

Similarly, the PC port of God of War Ragnarok in 2024 also drew criticism, with users expressing their discontent through negative reviews on its Steam page. Sony has not provided clear reasons for requiring PSN accounts for their single-player games.

Currently, PSN is only available in approximately 70 countries, leaving over 170 countries without access. This forces players in unsupported regions to create accounts in supported regions, raising concerns about privacy and data security, especially given Sony's past issues with data breaches.