It’s the news many PC gamers have been waiting for. In a quiet but significant move, Sony PlayStation remove regional restrictions for several of its flagship PC titles on Steam, as evidenced by SteamDB changelogs and community reports. This means blockbuster games like Helldivers 2, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, God of War Ragnarok, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are finally available for purchase in 177 countries that were previously locked out. This change directly addresses one of the PC community’s biggest frustrations with Sony’s recent strategy.
Why PlayStation Remove Regional Restrictions: The PSN Controversy
So, what was the big deal? The problem stemmed from Sony’s requirement for players to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play their PC games. While this made some sense for online-heavy titles, it created a huge headache for players in regions where PSN isn’t officially supported. If you couldn’t create a PSN account, you couldn’t buy the game on Steam. Period.
Forcing a sign-up for single-player epics like God of War felt like a major overreach to many PC gamers, who are used to the open nature of the platform. While dedicated fans found workarounds, the policy left a sour taste and locked countless potential players out of enjoying Sony’s incredible library.
Helldivers 2: The Backlash That Forced Sony’s Hand
The controversy hit a fever pitch with the smash-hit Helldivers 2. After its initial launch without the requirement, Sony announced it would retroactively enforce PSN linking. The community backlash was immediate and overwhelming. Players organized, review-bombed the game on Steam, and made it clear they wouldn’t stand for it.
The sheer volume of negative feedback worked. Sony reversed course entirely for Helldivers 2, admitting in a statement that it was still “learning what’s best for PC players.” It was a pivotal moment that showed player power could enact real change. The sentiment was echoed when a modder for God of War Ragnarok created a patch to bypass its PSN requirement, only to take it down later to avoid a potential legal battle with Sony. When PlayStation removes regional restrictions, it’s likely a result of community feedback, including the intense backlash to Helldivers 2 and modding efforts, though no official Sony statement confirms this.
A New Strategy: Incentives Over Mandates
Following the public outcry, Sony has officially shifted its approach. The company announced back in January that instead of mandatory sign-ups, it would offer optional in-game rewards and items as a thank you for players who choose to link their PSN accounts.
It’s a classic “carrot instead of the stick” method, and it’s a much more player-friendly way to integrate the PlayStation ecosystem on PC. Now, with the region locks officially lifted, that new strategy is finally paying off for gamers everywhere.
Most affected games, including Helldivers 2, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, God of War Ragnarok, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, are now appearing for purchase on Steam in previously restricted territories, though some titles like Ghost of Tsushima may still be restricted in certain regions. If you were blocked before, it’s time to recheck your local Steam store page.
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