Sony has announced that linking a PlayStation Network (PSN) account will now be optional for select single-player titles on PC, effective immediately before the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This decision has been positively received by the PC gaming community, especially in regions without PSN access, such as the Dominican Republic. Previously, players used mods to bypass the PSN login requirement, which posed risks. The issue gained attention during the release of Helldivers 2 in 2024, leading to a backlash that prompted Sony to change its policy. Players can now enjoy titles like God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Last of Us Part II Remastered without needing a PSN account, although some games, like Ghost of Tsushima, still require it for online multiplayer. Linking accounts offers exclusive content, including cosmetics and in-game currency.
On November 20, GSC Game World will release S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which will not include Denuvo anti-piracy protection and will be available on the GOG digital store without DRM. It is expected that pirated versions of the game will appear on torrent sites within hours of its release. The minimum system requirements for the game are Windows 10, Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, 8 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD recommended). The recommended requirements are Windows 10/11, Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super or AMD RX 5700 XT, 16 GB RAM, and 150 GB disk space (SSD required). Initial impressions from major publications and gaming expos are positive, highlighting the game's visual fidelity, mechanics, NPC intelligence, nonlinear quests, and expansive map, though some concerns were raised about a lengthy introduction and technical glitches. Journalists were not allowed to record gameplay footage, which has led to apprehensions about the unfiltered gameplay experience.
GOG is a digital platform that allows users to own their games without the constraints of DRM policies. Users can download game files directly to their hard drives, ensuring long-term access to their games. GOG promotes a DRM-free philosophy, allowing players to enjoy their games without restrictions. The platform celebrates gaming heritage by bridging the past and present, providing a safe space for gamers to maintain their collections.
Pasokon Retro highlights the history of Japanese PC gaming, focusing on the 1997 release of Clock Tower, a suspenseful point-and-click adventure developed by Human Entertainment for Windows 95. The PC version featured a lackluster CG intro and inferior graphics compared to earlier versions, with intentional visual shortcomings such as dithered mist effects and smudgy softness. Despite these issues, the game maintained an engaging experience with intuitive mouse controls and randomization of key item locations, allowing for varied playthroughs. The game ran smoothly on Windows 11, showcasing its compatibility with modern systems.
Call of Duty has released Black Ops 6, which has generated excitement among fans despite some technical issues. Players have reported problems with rewards and game accessibility on platforms like Steam and Xbox Game Pass. Only Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass PC subscribers can access new titles on release day, so others may need to purchase the game or upgrade their subscription. Some players have experienced crashes when launching the game via Game Pass, often related to controller remapping software. Troubleshooting steps include verifying game files, running the game as an administrator, repairing the game, and resetting the Xbox app.
Concord, a game developed by Firewalk Studios, was taken offline shortly after its late August launch due to poor reception. Recent activity on the Steam backend, noted as of October 8, has led to speculation that Sony may consider relaunching it as a Free-To-Play title. The game's budget is reported to be around 0 million, although figures vary. The gaming community is hopeful for a potential relaunch, but no official announcements have been made.
Sony is showing recent activity related to the Concord game files on Steam, suggesting a potential revival of the multiplayer shooter as a free-to-play (F2P) title. Updates noted by observers indicate that Firewalk Studios may be preparing for a F2P release, with recent screenshots from Concord’s Steam database showing activity as of October 8. Despite the speculation, industry analysts are skeptical about whether a F2P model can salvage a project that has faced significant challenges, especially after its disappointing open beta phase. Sony has invested millions into Concord, and transitioning it to a F2P model may be seen as the only viable option moving forward, though the timeline for this change is uncertain. The Firewalk team is preparing for the repercussions of what has been described as one of the biggest flops in video gaming history.
