As Sony was requiring PC players to link their Steam accounts to a PlayStation Network in order to play Helldivers 2, the developer behind Ghost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch Productions, requires a PlayStation Network account in order to play the game’s multiplayer mode and get access to its PlayStation overlay.
A screenshot from Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT (2024), Sucker Punch Productions
The Ghost Tsushima Director’s Cut comes to Steam on May 16th, and the Steam page notes a PlayStation Network account linked to a Steam account is required for online multiplayer and the PlayStation overlay.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut Steam page
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On May 3rd, the same day that Sony announced it was requiring a PlayStation Network account linked to a Steam account in order to play Helldivers 2, Sucker Punch Productions confirmed that if players want to play Ghost of Tsushima’s multiplayer or use the PlayStation overlay they would need a PlayStation Network account linked to their Steam account. However, the developer did note that if you just want to play the game in singleplayer, a PlayStation Network account is not needed.
Sucker Punch Productions said on X, “Just so you are aware, A PSN account is required for Legends online multiplayer mode and to use PlayStation overlay. It is not required to play the singleplayer game.”
Sucker Punch Productions on X
The game is offering in-game rewards if players do link a PlayStation Network to their Steam accounts. They include: Archery Master’s Attire and Charm of Canine Recruitment.
However, as with Helldivers 2, this requirement to play to have a PlayStation Network linked to a Steam account in order to play Ghost of Tsushima multiplayer limits the locations of where players can play the game given PlayStation Network is not accessible in all countries around the globe.
One user MwineNgabo pointed this out on X, “What happens to those who want to play Legends online multiplayer and are in regions where PSN is non available? Plus PSN is in a select few markets so what is your solution there ?”
When another user suggested using a VPN, he detailed the account gets flagged by Sony, “Did that and with a vpn sony flags the account.
Mwine Ngabo on X
READ: Sony Backs Down On PlayStation Network Account Linking Being Required To Play ‘Helldivers 2’
Of note, Sony backtracked on requiring Helldivers 2 players to connect a PlayStation Network account to their Steam account in order to play the game. The official PlayStation account on X posted, “Helldivers fans — we’ve heard your feedback on the Helldivers 2 account linking update. The May 6 update, which would have required Steam and PlayStation Network account linking for new players and for current players beginning May 30, will not be moving forward.”
It added, “We’re still learning what is best for PC players and your feedback has been invaluable. Thanks again for your continued support of Helldivers 2 and we’ll keep you updated on future plans.”
PlayStation on X
This backtracking came after the game lost thousands of players. Steam DB reported that on May 3rd, the peak concurrent players for the game hit 119,027. Following the announcement it declined to 115,130 on May 4th. On May 5th, it fell to 110,715.
After reversing the decision on May 6th, the peak concurrent player base jumped to 122,641.
Helldivers 2 concurrent players data via Steam DB
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The game was also lampooned with negative reviews. It received 62,477 negative reviews and just 252 positive reviews on May 3rd. On May 4th, it received 114,303 negative reviews. There were 154,651 negative reviews submitted on May 5th.
On May 6th after the account linking policy was reversed, it received 207,675 positive reviews and just 25,625 negative reviews. On May 7th, it’s received 33,210 positive reviews so far.
Helldivers 2 reviews via Steam DB
Ghost of Tsushima was one of the most popular PlayStation games when it released back in 2020 on the PlayStation 4 and then in 2021 on the PlayStation 5. In November 2020, Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst announced, “Ghost of Tsushima is our fastest-selling first party original PS4 game with more than 5 million copies sold since its debut in July. What an incredible achievement by Sucker Punch Productions.”
#GhostofTsusima is our fastest-selling first party original PS4 game with more than 5 million copies sold since its debut in July. What an incredible achievement by @SuckerPunchProd!
— Hermen Hulst (@hermenhulst) November 12, 2020
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Sucker Punch Productions announced in July 2022, two years after the game released that it had sold 9.73 million copies.
This weekend marks two years since the release of #GhostOfTsushima! We are blown away by all of the support since then and so grateful for all of you! Thank you to everyone who has played and shared this journey with us!
Here are just some of the amazing stats since launch: pic.twitter.com/DMgzYGTih1
— Sucker Punch Productions (@SuckerPunchProd) July 15, 2022
The game also appears to be garnering an audience on Steam. According to Steam DB, the game is currently the 26th top seller. It’s 10th in wishlists, and its followers has grown to over 60,000 since it was listed in the middle of March.
Ghost of Tsushima Steam data via Steam DB
What do you make of Sucker Punch Productions and Sony requiring a PlayStation Network account to be linked to a Steam account in order to play Ghost of Tsushima’s multiplayer and access the PlayStation overlay?
