Sony’s controversial PlayStation Community requirement for its PC video games is as soon as once more within the highlight after the corporate delisted the unique Horizon Zero Dawn on Steam and the Epic Video games Retailer and added the PSN requirement to the upcoming single-player remaster.
Sony’s PSN account requirement for its PC video games was thrust into the limelight with the discharge of Arrowhead’s explosive PC and PS5 co-op shooter Helldivers 2 earlier this 12 months. Helldivers 2 suffered a overview bomb marketing campaign on Steam after Sony made PSN accounts obligatory for PC avid gamers on Valve’s platform (Arrowhead subsequently determined to show the Steam consumer overview historical past graph right into a cape, which is prepared for launch however has but to launch).
Sony finally backed down and reversed Helldivers 2’s PSN account requirement, however the recreation stays unavailable to purchase within the many international locations that lack PSN. And certainly all Sony’s video games on PC, even purely single-player ones, now undergo from this drawback, which suggests the lately launched God of Warfare Ragnarök and now Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered are unavailable on Steam in over 100 international locations.
This week, followers observed the unique Horizon Zero Dawn, beforehand that can be purchased in all international locations the place Steam is accessible, was delisted from the Epic Video games Retailer after which from Steam itself. The Horizon Zero Dawn Full Version Steam web page stays dwell, however the recreation itself is unavailable for buy. As an alternative is the choice to pre-purchase Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered or purchase its sequel, Forbidden West.
The Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Steam web page alerts the PSN account requirement within the small print of the sport’s options. Once more, the unique recreation didn’t have this requirement on PC.
Already destructive consumer critiques are mentioning Sony’s actions right here. “Delisted the unique recreation simply so as to add the remaster with PSN account compelled into the sport,” reads one latest Steam overview for the Full Version of Zero Dawn. “Now international locations unsupported by PSN cannot purchase this recreation anymore whether or not it is the non remastered model (which does not require PSN) or remastered model.”
It appears seemingly, then, that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered will undergo from overview bombing when it goes on sale on Steam on October 31. It appears unlikely that Sony will reverse course right here, having suffered a backlash from PC avid gamers to just about all its Steam releases since Helldivers 2 went on sale.
It has to date did not remark on its PC PSN coverage, though through the Helldivers 2 backlash it supplied reasoning that was broadly ridiculed by Steam avid gamers. “We’re nonetheless studying what’s greatest for PC gamers and your suggestions has been invaluable,” Sony stated on the time. In contrast to Helldivers 2, Horizon Zero Dawn is a purely single-player solely recreation.
It’s price noting that Horizon Zero Dawn Full Version continues to be obtainable on GOG. There it’s DRM-free, with no activation or on-line connection required to play.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.