Modders have quickly set to work on the newly released God of War Ragnarök for PC, focusing on removing the requirement for a PlayStation Network (PSN) login. This feature was introduced by Sony in its recent PC releases, and modders have responded swiftly with a patch to bypass the login requirement.
Just four days after the game’s launch, a simple mod has surfaced that allows users to avoid connecting their game to PSN, reflecting player dissatisfaction with this mandatory feature.
The backlash against the mandatory PSN login isn’t entirely new. Players expressed frustration when the feature was added post-release to Helldivers 2, another Sony-published game, only to have it removed after outcry.
Sony’s continued insistence on integrating PSN logins into its PC titles has created significant tension, as many gamers feel it is unnecessary. While Sony’s intention seems to be to encourage further engagement with the PlayStation platform, players are clearly unhappy, seeing it as an intrusive addition to their PC gaming experience.
On Steam, God of War Ragnarök currently has a “Mixed” review score, with many users citing the mandatory PSN login as their main gripe. This has marred the otherwise positive reception the game received for its high-end performance and gameplay. Despite its critical success, the game has faced pushback from the PC gaming community, as the requirement for a PSN login has become a focal point for discontent.
The mod to remove the PSN requirement, which was quickly posted on NexusMods, is relatively simple. By copying two .DLL files into the game directory, players can bypass the login prompt, allowing them to play without linking their accounts to PSN. The mod is easy enough to install, and it barely qualifies as a mod, further reflecting how unnecessary players feel the login requirement is for enjoying the game.
While some may argue that Sony’s requirement for a PSN login is part of a broader strategy to integrate its ecosystem across platforms, the resistance from players highlights a key issue: God of War and its sequel are fundamentally single-player experiences.
Many see the login as serving no real function beyond data collection, and as a result, players feel justified in pushing back against this feature, even if their methods, such as review bombing, seem excessive to some.