Sony’s PSN account requirement for The Last of Us Part 2 on PC sparks controversy

Sony announced that gamers must have a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered when it releases for PC. Sony greenlighted the PSN account requirement despite the game having no online features. Gamers criticized Sony’s decision, which was also extended to other previously PlayStation-exclusive games

The gaming industry has seen a change in trends as game developers such as Sony have started to release previously PlayStation-exclusive games for PC. Sony is set to release The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered for PC in 2025. However, the fan-favorite game’s release plans have been marred by controversy. 

Sony includes PSN account requirement for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Sony announced that the game developer will release The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered in 2025. The announcement also confirmed that the game will have a mandatory PSN account requirement. The requirement is included despite the adventure game having no online features.

Sony’s announcement stated that the game will have graphic enhancements and new features exclusive to the remastered game. The new features will allow gamers to peek at the game’s development level via lost levels and additions to the game’s music via Guitar Free Play.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will be released on April 3, 2025. The action game is currently available for pre-purchase on Steam and Epic stores for 49.99€. Gamers who make a pre-purchase will receive an ammo capacity upgrade, a crafting training manual, and supplements required to unlock recipes, skills, and upgrades early in the game.

The game will follow the PlayStation version’s setting that started five years after Ellie and Joel had settled in a community in Jackson, Wyoming. Gamers will play the game as Ellie embarks on another dangerous journey to mete out justice. 

The adventure game’s release for PC came with some downsides. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will be limited to a few regions due to Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirements. The requirements will make the game unplayable for gamers in 180 countries around the world.

The restriction matches those set on previously launched remastered PlayStation games such as God of War: Ragnarok, Helldivers 2, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Sony COO Hiroki Totoki previously defended the PSN account requirement by stating that it was integral in creating a conducive environment where everyone can safely play games.

Gamers criticize Sony’s PSN requirement for PC games

Gamers took to social media to call out Sony for making the PSN account mandatory for previously PlayStation-exclusive games remastered for PC. Some gamers questioned Sony’s decision and said it was another reason they would not buy the game.

Gamers also called out other game developers, such as EA, Ubisoft, and Rockstar, for adding more hurdles to games when they only wanted to play the games directly. Gamers listed titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Helldivers 2 as other games with requirements that prevented the games from being more successful.

A section of the gaming community said that Sony’s decision to include a PSN account requirement was expected since such practices have happened for PC crossovers over the last decade. They urged PC gamers to get used to the trend, as it has been replicated by other major game development studios, such as Square Enix and Ubisoft. Some gamers said that they would wait to see if Sony would change its decision due to public backlash, as in the case of Helldivers 2, where the PSN account requirement was removed.

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