Sony has recently announced a significant change for gamers, making PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts optional for playing certain PS5 games on PC. This shift comes into effect following the release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2's PC port on January 30, 2025. Read on to find out which games are affected and what incentives are available for those with PSN accounts.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Other Games No Longer Require PSN Accounts to Play on PC
Sony's decision to make PSN accounts optional for some PS5 games ported to PC was detailed in a recent PlayStation.Blog post. Starting with the PC release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, players will no longer need a PSN account to enjoy this title on their computers. Other games that will follow suit include God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, set for release in April 2025. However, it's worth noting that not all PS5 games on PC will drop the PSN requirement; titles like Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut and Until Dawn still mandate a PSN account.
Incentives for Players with PSN Accounts
Even though PSN accounts are now optional, Sony is offering enticing incentives for those who choose to sign in. According to the announcement, players with a PSN account will benefit from features such as trophies and friend management, along with exclusive in-game bonuses:
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - Early unlock suits: 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 accessible 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, Jordan's Jacket from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a skin for Ellie
- Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - Gain access to Nora Valiant outfit
Sony also hinted at potential future incentives, stating that "Game creators at PlayStation Studios will continue to work on bringing more benefits to players who sign up for a PlayStation Network account."
Sony Received Backlash for Forcing Players to Have a PSN Account
This policy change comes after Sony faced significant backlash in 2024 when they initially required a PSN account for playing Helldivers 2 on Steam, citing "safety and security" reasons. This decision led to the game being delisted in over 170 countries where PSN is not supported. The backlash, including numerous negative reviews on Steam, prompted Sony to reverse their decision just three days later, admitting they are "still learning what is best for PC players."
Similarly, the PC port of God of War Ragnarok in 2024 also drew criticism for requiring a PSN account, with users voicing their discontent on its Steam page. Sony has not provided clear reasons for why PSN accounts are necessary for their single-player games.
Currently, PSN is only supported in around 70 countries, leaving many players in unsupported regions to create accounts in different regions, which raises concerns about privacy and security, especially considering Sony's past issues with data breaches.
