In a significant shift for its gaming community, Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to eliminate the contentious requirement for PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts when playing select first-party titles on PC. This change comes as a response to feedback from players who faced barriers due to the unavailability of PSN in various regions, preventing them from enjoying popular titles such as The Last of Us Part 1, God of War, and Marvel’s Spider-Man, even after purchasing them on Steam.
Details from the Announcement
Asad Qizilbash, Sony’s Senior Vice President of Publishing within its studio business group, shared the news in a recent PlayStation Blog post. He clarified that this decision currently pertains to a limited selection of games. While he did not specify whether this policy would extend to other titles like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart or Ghost of Tsushima, he emphasized that the company is committed to enhancing the gaming experience for its audience.
For players who opt to link their Steam and PSN accounts, Sony is preparing a range of incentives. This integration will allow users to manage their friends across both platforms and share trophy data seamlessly. Additionally, players will gain access to unique game-specific benefits, enriching their overall gaming experience.
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: Early unlocks for the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and Miles Morales 2099 Suit.
- The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered: 50 points toward unlocking bonus features, including Jordan’s jacket from Naughty Dog’s upcoming title, Intergalactic, for Ellie.
- God of War Ragnarok: Unlocks Kratos’ Armor of the Black Bear set at the first Lost Items chest, typically reserved for New Game Plus, along with 250 XP and 500 silver.
- Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered: Unlocks the Nora Valiant outfit.
Qizilbash noted that each studio involved is actively developing further incentives, which they plan to unveil in the near future. This initiative reflects Sony’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and rewarding gaming environment for its players across platforms.
