The upcoming release of Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut on PC has sparked controversy due to its online features requiring players to sign in to a PSN account. This decision has limited the availability of the game on Steam, raising concerns about gaming accessibility in nearly 180 countries.
The addition of ‘purchase restricted countries’ for Ghost Of Tsushima has left players in those regions frustrated, with some reporting auto-refunds by Steam for their pre-orders. This limitation is especially baffling considering that the game is primarily a singleplayer experience, making the PSN account requirement seem unnecessary for all players.
The case of Helldivers 2 serves as a cautionary tale for game developers implementing similar requirements. The backlash faced by the game’s developers, resulting in over 100,000 negative Steam reviews in 48 hours, highlights the importance of considering the impact on players in regions where PSN accounts are not available.
Sony’s initial stance on the requirement for linking Steam and PSN accounts faced considerable criticism, leading to the company eventually dropping the requirement altogether. The acknowledgment of player feedback and the subsequent policy reversal demonstrate a willingness to adapt to the needs and concerns of the gaming community.
As the release of Ghost Of Tsushima approaches, it will be interesting to see how Sony handles the potential backlash from players regarding the PSN account requirement. While the game’s Steam store page provides clear information about the necessity of a PSN account for online multiplayer, the developer’s response to player feedback will be critical in shaping the game’s reception.
The impact of PSN account requirements on gaming accessibility cannot be understated. The experiences of Helldivers 2 and the impending release of Ghost Of Tsushima highlight the importance of striking a balance between online functionality and player accessibility. Moving forward, game developers must carefully consider the implications of such requirements to ensure a positive and inclusive gaming experience for all players.
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