Summary
Concorddeveloper 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 thatConcordwill need PC users to link a PSN account from day one.
Helldivers 2players 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 accountfor itsLegendsmultiplayer mode, as will the upcomingGod of War RagnarokandConcord.
However, many have wondered whySony wants to impose a PlayStation Network account on PCusers in the first place. That question was somewhat answered recently byConcord’s lead character designer, Jon Weisnewski, in a recentEurogamerinterview. “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 forConcord, it does little to clarify why a fully single-player title likeGod of War Ragnarokneeds a PSN account on PC, as crossplay and cross-progression are unnecessary for it. Moreover,Helldivers 2supported 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 byHelldivers 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 aboutConcordrequiring 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 fromConcord. 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 outConcordduring its open beta periodin July, ahead of its full launch on August 23.
