Sony loosens its grip on PSN account linking for PC games, offering incentives for those who connect.

In a recent PlayStation Blog post, Sony announced a strategic shift, eliminating the requirement to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account for several PC titles, starting with Marvel's Spider-Man 2's PC release. This decision addresses player concerns regarding the previously mandatory PSN account linking for playing certain PC ports. Games affected by this change include Marvel's Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. The impact on other single-player PC ports remains unclear.

However, Sony isn't abandoning its efforts to integrate PC gamers into its online ecosystem. To incentivize PSN account linking, the company will offer in-game bonuses to connected players. These include early suit unlocks in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource packs for games like God of War Ragnarök. A full list of announced incentives is provided below:

PlayStation PC In-Game Content Incentives:

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

Sony plans to continue collaborating with PlayStation Studios developers to provide further benefits for players who connect their PSN accounts. The company also highlighted additional account benefits, such as trophy support and friend management.

The reception to Sony's PC gaming strategy has been mixed. While many appreciate the availability of previously console-exclusive titles, the mandatory PSN account linking faced significant backlash, particularly from players in regions where PSN isn't accessible. This was notably highlighted by the initial announcement (and subsequent reversal) of a PSN account requirement for Helldivers 2 on Steam.