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 significant shift in its PC gaming strategy. Starting with the PC release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players will no longer be required to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play select titles. This change addresses player concerns regarding the mandatory PSN account linking previously implemented for several PC ports. This affects 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 titles remains unclear.

However, Sony isn't abandoning its online ecosystem entirely. The company will offer in-game bonuses for players who do connect their PSN accounts. These include early access to suits in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and one-time resource bundles for games like God of War Ragnarök. The full list of current incentives is detailed 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 and unlock Ellie's Jordan's Jacket skin.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Access to the Nora Valiant outfit.

Sony plans to collaborate with PlayStation Studios developers to introduce further benefits for PSN account holders on PC. The company also highlighted that account linking provides access to features like trophy support and friend management.

The reception to Sony's PC gaming initiative has been mixed. While many appreciate the availability of previously console-exclusive titles, the mandatory PSN account requirement drew significant criticism, particularly in regions where PSN isn't accessible. This was notably highlighted by the brief, and ultimately reversed, requirement for a PSN account to play Helldivers 2 on Steam.