# Sony’s PSN Mandate for *God of War Ragnarök* on PC Triggers Backlash and Modding Initiative
Sony’s requirement for a PlayStation Network (PSN) log-in for the PC version of *God of War Ragnarök* has sparked significant outrage among PC gamers. This policy, which necessitates players to access a PSN account even for a single-player, offline experience, has resulted in a flood of unfavorable reviews and grievances across gaming forums and sites like Steam and Reddit. In reaction, the modding community has stepped up, providing a workaround that eliminates the PSN requirement entirely.
## The NoPSSDK Mod: A Community-Fueled Solution
To relieve the discontent of PC gamers, a modder by the name of iArtorias has created the **NoPSSDK mod**, which removes the PSN sign-in demand from *God of War Ragnarök*. Available on NexusMods, this mod aims to “completely eliminate the PlayStation PC SDK runtime requirement” from the game. This open-source mod utilizes Microsoft’s Detours library to circumvent the game’s requests to the PlayStation Network API without altering any of the original game files.
The mod has quickly gained popularity within the community, amassing nearly 2,000 downloads at the time of this writing. iArtorias has pledged to keep the mod updated, mentioning in a NexusMods post, “I will try to maintain the tool even if something changes, but hopefully nothing crucial happens.”
Updates to the mod have also been released, including one that replicates an offline mode, further increasing its usefulness for players looking to experience the game without being linked to Sony’s online framework.
## A Rising Trend of PSN Mandates for PC Releases
This isn’t Sony’s first encounter with backlash over PSN log-in requirements for PC adaptations of its games. Earlier in 2024, *Helldivers 2* initially mandated a PSN account for PC users, but Sony swiftly reversed this policy following extensive complaints. Nonetheless, the PC version of *Ghost of Tsushima* still necessitates a PSN account for accessing its online multiplayer component, *Legends*.
What makes the *God of War Ragnarök* predicament especially frustrating for gamers is that the game is purely offline and single-player. Nevertheless, Sony has enforced the PSN log-in requirement, resulting in a torrent of negative reviews on Steam. Many reviewers highlight the ridiculousness of needing an online account for a game devoid of any online features.
One representative review on Steam states: “The game is fantastic and I’m truly enjoying it, but I can’t endorse it in its current form. A single-player game demanding a Sony PSN login and being unplayable offline? Seriously, Sony? Are you kidding?”
## Sony’s Strategy and Its Effects on PC Gamers
Sony’s mandate for PSN log-ins for PC ports is part of a larger strategy to merge its PlayStation ecosystem with the expanding PC gaming sector. Since 2020, Sony has increasingly concentrated on transitioning its high-profile titles to PC, with 15 significant releases making the leap from PlayStation to Steam. This strategy is designed to broaden the company’s reach to new audiences and enthusiasts who may not have a PlayStation console.
Former Sony executive Shawn Layden articulated the reasoning behind this strategy in 2021: “The strategy we were developing when I was there was to reach out to where these new customers and fans could be. We need to go to them…”
However, the PSN requirement has created obstacles for gamers, especially in regions where PSN accounts are unavailable. Currently, PSN is accessible in only 70 countries, effectively restricting the game’s reach in other areas. Furthermore, players must adhere to Sony’s PlayStation Terms of Service, adding another layer of complexity to the PC gaming experience.
## The Future of Sony’s PC Adaptations
As Sony progresses in the PC gaming landscape, it will need to strike a careful balance between integrating the PlayStation ecosystem and the expectations of PC gamers. The backlash associated with the PSN requirement for *God of War Ragnarök* underscores the difficulties of imposing console-centric regulations on a platform recognized for its flexibility and user autonomy.
While the NoPSSDK mod provides a temporary remedy for disgruntled players, the broader concern of PSN requirements for offline single-player titles persists. Sony’s readiness to amend its decision for *Helldivers 2* indicates that the company is attuned to player sentiments, but whether similar adjustments will occur for *God of War Ragnarök* or forthcoming PC adaptations remains uncertain.
In the interim, the modding community continues to be instrumental in enhancing the gaming experience for PC players by supplying alternatives and solutions where official avenues fall short. Whether Sony will modify its strategy to better meet the expectations of the PC gaming community is a
