Highlights
- Concord requires a PSN account.
- This is apparently due to the game's cross-play and cross-progression features.
- Controversy surrounds the PSN mandate for PC players, with some questioning its necessity.
Concord developer Firewalk Studios defends the requirement for players to link a PlayStation Network account to access the game on PC, implying that it's necessary for many integral multiplayer features. The 5v5 hero shooter is set to launch on August 23, and publisher Sony has confirmed that Concord will need PC users to link a PSN account from day one.
Helldivers 2 players know well enough the widespread controversy against the PSN mandate when it was first levied for the Arrowhead co-op shooter back in May, following which Sony backtracked on the rule and established that future PlayStation titles on PC will follow through on the requirement. Soon after, Ghost of Tsushima's PC port required a PSN account for its Legends multiplayer mode, as will the upcoming God of War Ragnarok and Concord.
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However, many have wondered why Sony wants to impose a PlayStation Network account on PC users in the first place. That question was somewhat answered recently by Concord's lead character designer, Jon Weisnewski, in a recent Eurogamer interview. "The goal is for players to come together, and so for us to have PC players and PlayStation 5 players together, for that crossplay and cross-progression to work, that's a layer that needs to be there - just on a technical level," explained Weisnewski. The developer concluded his quote by saying that the impetus is for a harmonized experience to "get players together."
Concord Needs PSN Accounts on PC for Crossplay and Cross-Progression
While Weisnewski's explanation offers valuable insight into why Firewalk Studios may have adopted the requirement for Concord, it does little to clarify why a fully single-player title like God of War Ragnarok needs a PSN account on PC, as crossplay and cross-progression are unnecessary for it. Moreover, Helldivers 2 supported crossplay at launch when it didn't require a PSN account on PC, which makes Weisnewski's defense of the mandate slightly more confusing. In all fairness, however, cross-progression isn't supported by Helldivers 2, but the feature wasn't confirmed for it even when the PSN rule was announced.
Although the subject is still somewhat controversial, Firewalk's clarification about Concord requiring a PlayStation Network account on PC is welcome nonetheless. That said, Sony's insistence on folding PC users into PSN remains largely unanswered, and it'll be interesting to see if the mandate could turn some players away from Concord. Recent previews for the live-service hero shooter do hint at a potentially more unique experience than some might have envisioned based on the reveal trailers, and those intrigued by the impressions can try out Concord during its open beta period in July, ahead of its full launch on August 23.
