In a significant policy reversal, PlayStation has removed purchase restrictions for several of its major titles on Steam, making them available to players in numerous countries without mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account linking. This decision comes after months of intense criticism from the gaming community regarding regional accessibility issues.

The affected games include some of PlayStation's most popular franchises:

• Helldivers 2 (the co-op shooter that sparked the initial controversy)
• God of War Ragnarok (the critically acclaimed Norse mythology epic)
• The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered (Naughty Dog's emotional survival masterpiece)
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac's web-slinging superhero adventure)

This change marks a notable shift in PlayStation's platform strategy, particularly after the Helldivers 2 controversy in May 2024 when the game became unavailable in 177 countries due to PSN requirements. The subsequent fan backlash, including review bombing of PlayStation titles, forced Sony to reconsider its approach to PC releases.

According to SteamDB tracking data, the restrictions were officially lifted on June 13 at 1:54 PM Eastern Time. Countries that previously lost access - including Venezuela, Haiti, and Serbia - can now purchase and play these titles without limitations.

However, it's worth noting that not all PlayStation games on Steam have seen these restrictions lifted. Ghost of Tsushima still requires PSN linking for multiplayer features and PlayStation overlay functionality, indicating Sony's policy change isn't universal across its entire Steam catalog.

The timing of this decision coincides with the successful Steam launch of Stellar Blade, which attracted over 100,000 concurrent players within its first day. Some industry observers speculate this positive reception may have influenced Sony's decision to remove barriers for other titles.

While PlayStation appears to be relaxing some restrictions for single-player experiences, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to live-service games. Upcoming titles like Marathon will likely maintain stricter account requirements, suggesting Sony is adopting a more nuanced approach to platform accessibility.

This development represents a significant victory for PC gamers worldwide and demonstrates how player feedback can influence corporate policies. As the gaming landscape continues evolving, all eyes remain on PlayStation's next moves regarding platform exclusivity and cross-platform accessibility.