Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: Ongoing Controversial Requirement for PC Players

With anticipation building for the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Sony faces potential backlash once again. After past controversies, the publisher has opted to reinstate the PSN (PlayStation Network) account requirement for this remaster of Guerrilla’s beloved sci-fi open-world game.

This latest decision could lead to further discontent, particularly as the original Horizon Zero Dawn has also been delisted. Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing controversy surrounding Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

PSN Account Requirement for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered on PC

PC players are not going to be happy (Image via PlayStation Publishing LLC)

According to the details in a recent PlayStation Blog post announcing the remaster, PC players must have a PSN account to access the game. Sony faced significant criticism for this stance when Helldivers 2 launched on PC, and despite the overwhelming disapproval from the Steam community, they remained unyielding until the very end.

Although Helldivers 2 no longer imposes the PSN requirement, it remains inaccessible for purchase in regions where creating a PlayStation account is problematic. Moreover, the recent port of God of War: Ragnarok also introduced a PSN requirement, highlighting Sony’s continuing trend with the Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

While one might argue a PSN account is necessary for online multiplayer experiences, there is no justification for such a requirement for a single-player game like Aloy’s First Journey. Unfortunately, the situation escalates further.

The original Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition has been removed from individual purchase options on both the Epic Games Store and Steam in light of the remaster’s imminent release. Although the game’s store page remains accessible, it has been replaced with a “Remastered Bundle”that encapsulates both the original title and an upgrade to the enhanced version.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is set to be released on October 31, 2024, for PC and PS5.

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