Sony Updates PSN Policy for PC, Unveils Gifts

Sony's recent policy changes regarding PC gaming have stirred significant controversy among the gaming community. The company's decision to mandate a connection to the PlayStation Network (PSN) even for single-player games has been a point of contention, especially given that the service isn't available in all regions, leading to restrictions on the sales of modern releases.

In response to the backlash, Sony has announced some adjustments to its policy. While the requirement for PSN tethering on PC isn't being entirely dropped, there will be certain relaxations. Specifically, the following games will not require mandatory PSN tethering:

• Marvel's Spider-Man 2
• God of War Ragnarok
• The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

For those who opt to connect to PSN, there are incentives in place:

• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - Early access to the "2099" line of costumes for Peter Parker and Miles Morales.
• God of War Ragnarok - Access to the Armor of the Black Bear set from the first "Lost Things" chest at the beginning of the game, along with a set of resources.
• The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered - Bonus points to unlock features and more.
• Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - The Nora Valiant costume.

In a November Q&A session with investors, Sony's COO Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the opposition to the PSN connection requirement but emphasized its importance for maintaining security and order. While he spoke about the necessity of this restriction in service-based games, he did not clarify how single-player titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 or God of War Ragnarök benefit from a mandatory PSN account in terms of security.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Sony's approach to PC gaming and PSN integration remains a hotly debated topic.