Back when the PS4 launched in 2013, most people would have been unable to see Sony's pivot away from developing exclusively for its own consoles coming. While it was once thought to be impossible, fast-forward a single generation and things have changed dramatically for PlayStation on that front. That’s because over the last few years, some of the publisher's biggest first party games have been released not only on PS4 and PS5, but on PC as well.
Thanks to the launch of Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered on PC last week, it looks like no first party game is off the table when it comes to the port treatment. With Nixxes Software now a first party developer, the road is seemingly clear for more PlayStation games to hit the platform in the future. Files buried within the studio’s aforementioned release reinforce this even further, though, and suggest Sony could be contemplating adding PSN account functionality into the picture too. If it does, PC owners could be in for some exciting benefits.
Bonus PSN Features
As it stands right now, Sony hasn’t acknowledged the Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered PC file leak, or the idea of PSN account functionality being brought to its games on the platform. Fans should exercise a degree of caution on the subject, then, until the publisher speaks out one way or another. The existence of the files does admittedly suggest that the idea, and several benefits, are being weighed up behind the scenes though. While these could end up being placeholders, the ability for PC players to earn extra skill points was seemingly tested with the game in question.
If PSN functionality is added to Sony’s PC software in the future, players might be able to earn similar bonus unlocks in most of the publisher’s games. It’s hard to imagine Sony wanting to split up its player-bases too much though, so meatier content will likely be off the table. In a similar vein, it’s unlikely that PC players will be able to earn discounts on games they already own on a PlayStation console. Beyond undermining its initiative and annoying partners like Epic Games, it’s worth keeping in mind that PSN support is seemingly tied to the games themselves.
There’s no indication right now that Sony is weighing up creating its own PC storefront. Logging into PSN will likely only become an option once a game has been bought on Steam or the Epic Games Store. Based on the files that have been found in Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, it seems like the publisher is focusing mainly on tying PSN accounts together on console and PC. This could however result in cross-platform save transfers, progression sharing, and even the upcoming PlayStation Stars system, all becoming features instead.
PSN Trophy Support
One of the standout functions of the PlayStation Network, since the early PS3-era, has been the ability for players to earn virtual 'Trophies'. What started out as a scheme to match Microsoft's own Achievement system has arguably grown into its own phenomenon since then. Hunting Platinum Trophies and increasing Trophy levels have subsequently become key parts of the PlayStation experience for many console owners. In theory, if it becomes possible for PC players to log into their PSN accounts on the platform, that could open the door for Trophy support to appear as well.
Right now, when a PC owner buys one of Sony’s first party games they unlock the ability to earn Steam or Epic Achievements. Even though these function similarly to Trophies, the system’s unique RPG-like mechanics are missing from the equation. Theoretically though, logging into PSN on PC could make it possible for players to convert these over to Sony’s bespoke system. Beyond unifying both parts of the PlayStation ecosystem, it’s easy to imagine this functionality incentivizing Trophy Hunters to double-dip.
More PlayStation Ports
Theoretically, adding PSN account support to its PC games could give Sony slightly more control over its software on the platform. Being able to directly promote and advertise its digital ecosystem because of this, might have a positive knock-on impact on its revenue. Under this scenario then, it’s easy to see the functionality simply helping to bring more PlayStation first party games to PC in general. There’s already evidence of this starting to happen for added measure too, beyond comments from the publisher and its PC-centric investments.
Over the last few years, Sony has ratcheted up its PC porting initiative. What started out as a slow trickle, with games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone, has since turned into a steady stream. In 2022 alone, God of War 2018, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, The Last of Us Part 1, and two Spider-Man games, have all been announced or released. Having PSN account functionality up and running on PC would demonstrate Sony’s continued support for its plans while leaving the door open for PlayStation’s presence to grow even further in the future.
