PC Ports of Some PSN-Linked Games Now Playable Without Account

Sony has recently announced a significant shift in their policy regarding PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts for some PS5 games ported to PC. This change will take effect following the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC, scheduled for January 30, 2025. Read on to discover which games are affected and the enticing incentives offered to those who choose to link their PSN accounts.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Other Games No Longer Require PSN Accounts on PC

Sony is now making PSN accounts optional for certain PS5 games that have been ported to PC. According to a recent blog post on PlayStation.Blog, this policy change will start with the PC port of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Other games that will no longer require a PSN account to play on PC include God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and the upcoming release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered in April 2025. However, this change does not apply to all games; for example, PC ports of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Until Dawn still necessitate a PSN account.

Incentives for Players with PSN Accounts

Even though PSN accounts are no longer mandatory for playing these PC ports, Sony is offering enticing incentives for those who choose to link their PSN accounts. These include:

• 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 (previously only available in a New Game+ run) and a resource bundle (500 Hacksilver and 250 XP).
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered: +50 points to activate bonus features and unlock extras, plus 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 more benefits for players who choose to sign up for a PSN account, suggesting further incentives may be on the horizon.

Sony's Response to Backlash Over PSN Account Requirements

The decision to make PSN accounts optional comes after Sony faced significant backlash in 2024 when they initially required a PSN account for Helldivers 2 on Steam for "safety and security" reasons. This led to the game being delisted in over 170 countries where PSN is not supported, resulting in numerous negative reviews and complaints. 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 faced criticism and negative reviews due to the mandatory PSN account requirement. Sony has not provided clear reasons for why PSN accounts are required for their single-player games.

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