Sony Lifts PC Region Locks on Helldivers 2 and More

In a surprising move with no press release, Sony has removed region locks and mandatory PlayStation Network integration from several of its biggest PC releases on Steam. Titles such as Helldivers 2, God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 2 and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are now available worldwide—no VPN or workarounds required.

Sony’s Silent Rollback

Earlier this month, players noticed that “This title is not available in your region” messages had vanished from Sony’s high-profile Steam ports. There was no fanfare or official announcement—just a sudden reappearance of games in markets that had been cut off. Gamers in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere can now purchase and play without linking a PSN account, a requirement that had blocked access for over 100 countries where Sony’s network doesn’t operate.

From PSN Roadblocks to Open Access

The PSN requirement first surfaced with Helldivers 2’s launch in February 2024. A cooperative shooter with a massive following, it was yanked from entire regions because Sony demanded a linked PlayStation Network account. Fans responded with review bombing and public outcry—forcing Sony to drop the login rule, but the region bans remained. Soon after, single-player exclusives suffered the same fate, as Sony treated Steam more like a gated PlayStation storefront than a global PC marketplace.

Then came Stellar Blade’s PC debut. Its developers quietly omitted PSN integration and region locks, and the title became Sony’s top-performing single-player port on Steam. The lesson was clear: unrestricted access equals higher sales and goodwill. Now those same principles apply retroactively to older ports, suggesting Sony recognized the financial and reputational cost of digital walls.

Why Gamers Should Care

This rollback matters on multiple levels. First, it restores full library access for legitimate buyers who were previously prevented from playing. No more resorting to VPNs or secondhand key trading just to squad up in Helldivers 2. Second, it signals that Sony is finally treating PC as more than an afterthought—listening to community feedback and adjusting policies without weeks of back-and-forth.

Looking ahead, removing region locks could pave the way for smoother crossplay, faster global patch rollouts and a clearer path for future PlayStation exclusives on PC. The practice of region-based restrictions feels increasingly outdated in an era of digital storefronts and international gaming communities. If Sony maintains this course, PC players worldwide will enjoy a more inclusive and straightforward experience.

One-sentence summary: Sony has quietly scrapped region locks and PSN mandates on Steam ports like Helldivers 2 and God of War Ragnarok, opening these games to global PC audiences.