When “God of War Ragnarök” made its way to PC earlier this week, expectations were sky-high. As a sequel to the 2018 Game of the Year and one of the most anticipated titles from Sony, the game was poised to conquer the hearts of PC gamers, just as it did with PS5 and PS4 users. Enhanced graphics and optimized gameplay were supposed to be the talk of the town. However, instead of accolades, the game has been met with a frosty reception, mainly due to Sony’s contentious PlayStation Network (PSN) login requirement.
A Stumbling Block for Players: The PSN Login Requirement
“God of War Ragnarök” requires a PlayStation account sign-in to access the game—a stipulation that holds true even for those who have no intention of playing online or owning a PS5. This requirement is a strategic move by Sony to integrate its PlayStation user experience with the PC platform. However, this attempt to merge ecosystems has not sat well with the gaming community. This sentiment is clearly reflected in the game’s current Steam user review score, which is a “mixed” 65 per cent based on over 2,000 reviews.
One disgruntled player articulated the community’s frustration, stating, “I really wanted to give this game a thumbs up because it IS actually a good game, but the PSN requirement is stupid as hell and Sony needs to know that gamers will not stand for this.”
A Historical Perspective on Sony’s PSN Requirement
Sony’s insistence on a PSN login is not new to Steam users. The policy was first introduced with “Helldivers 2” and met with significant backlash, including a review-bombing campaign that forced Sony to backtrack on the requirement—but only for that particular game. “Ghost of Tsushima,” another Sony title ported to Steam, also featured a login requirement but restricted it to online modes and specific features, which did not stir as much controversy. Unfortunately, “God of War Ragnarök” has not been afforded such leniency, resulting in a Steam rating significantly lower than its predecessors.
Will the Backlash Affect Sales?
Despite the uproar, the impact on “God of War Ragnarök’s” PC sales remains to be seen. The game’s launch did not mirror the overwhelming success of its 2018 predecessor, peaking at only half the concurrent players on Steam. However, it is worth noting that the game has addressed one of the major criticisms from its console debut—improvements were made to avoid spoilers from Kratos’ son, Atreus, especially in puzzle sections, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans.
As “God of War Ragnarök” navigates through these turbulent initial days on Steam, the potential for redemption still exists. If Sony can adjust its policies and address the community’s concerns, the game might still replicate its console success on the PC platform. For now, players and critics alike are watching closely, waiting to see if Sony will make moves to alleviate the frustrations of its dedicated fanbase. In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, flexibility and responsiveness to player feedback continue to be key determinants of success.
