Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for PC: Region-Locking Concerns Addressed for Players

The announcement of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 making its way to PC has generated considerable excitement among fans, but there are rising concerns regarding how user-friendly this release will actually be. Following the release of Helldivers 2, Sony faced significant criticism for its rigid PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirement, which they have maintained for future titles as well.

Unfortunately, the eagerly anticipated PC version of the acclaimed 2023 PS5 superhero title from Insomniac Games is set to follow this trend. The official Steam page has confirmed that users will need a PSN account to access Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC, raising alarms among fans about potential limitations on consumer rights.

Impact of the PSN Requirement on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PC Sales

Players in regions without PSN access face limited options unless using unofficial methods (Image via PlayStation)

In line with other PlayStation-published titles on PC, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will mandate a PSN account for gameplay, even though it is a single-player experience. While creating a PlayStation account is a straightforward and free process, the critical issue is that this service remains inaccessible in numerous regions.

This means that many gamers around the world are unable to set up a PSN account, effectively barring them from enjoying these titles. This contentious approach gained notoriety with Helldivers 2 after the backlash against its required PSN account.

While the need for a PSN account in a multiplayer game like Helldivers 2 is somewhat justifiable, imposing the same rule on single-player games seems unwarranted. Despite the possibility of Sony reconsidering this policy for the upcoming installment featuring Peter and Miles, historical patterns suggest no changes are likely, despite community discontent.

This decision is particularly puzzling since Sony is looking to maximize profits from these PC adaptations; however, restricting access to certain regions significantly hampers their potential sales. Other recent PlayStation games with similar PSN requirements on PC include Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut and God of War Ragnarok, along with the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered—both of which are also single-player titles.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is scheduled to launch on PC on January 30, 2025.

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