Sony comments on PlayStation Steam account controversy

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  • Sony acknowledges the pushback, but will maintain PlayStation Network account requirements for PC ports.
  • The requirement is aimed at maintaining order and safety in online gaming for PlayStation fans on PC.



Sony president and CFO Hiroki Totoki commented on the controversy surrounding the company's effort to request a PlayStation Network account for its PC ports on Steam. This requirement caused a lot of frustration and resentment towards Sony in the Helldivers 2 community earlier this year, and its release God of War Ragnarok on Steam has also raised some pushback from fans who want to enjoy the title without logging in.

Sony continued its PC efforts with various game releases throughout 2024, including a day-and-date release for Helldivers 2 and the ports of God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition. It looks like the 2025 will follow a similar release pattern to the launch Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on Steam in January, and PC gamers have more PlayStation titles to play than ever before. However, the company's push to tie the PlayStation Network account into its PC ports has led to some controversy over Helldivers 2with some fans blaming the company's decision for the game's declining number of active Steam players over time. Many believe the account login requirement is cumbersome, and Sony's president shared his thoughts on community pushback during the company's Q&A portion of its latest financial call.


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As reported by GamesRadar+, Totoki discussed that Sony has “learned a lot” about community pushback against PlayStation Network account requirements and how issues can arise on PC. However, Totoki notes that the requirement “helps maintain order” in live service games and allows PlayStation fans to enjoy games in a safe online environment on PC. As a result, Sony will “continue to look for the best way” to promote a secure environment, and the account login requirement will remain a cornerstone of this strategy.


  • Sony has “learned a lot” about community pushback against the account login requirement.
  • The requirement will continue to exist on PlayStation's PC ports to maintain order and a safe online environment.


Totoki's comments make it clear that PlayStation Network accounts will continue to be required in Sony's future PC ports, including Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on Steam regardless of player criticism. At the very least, PlayStation fans on PC can expect the same in-game features found on the PS5 versions, including full DualSense compatibility and the ability to earn trophies.

During the same Q&A session, Totoki commented on the failure Concordiastating that the company is still looking into what went wrong with the new IP from the shuttered Firewalk Studios. Sony's president admitted that Concordia it did not have sufficient user testing and other forms of evaluation during development, and the company's “siloed” organizational structure may have contributed to the game's failure.

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