God of War Ragnarok Debuts With 23,000 Concurrent Players on Steam, 60% Fewer Than 2018’s God of War

God of War Ragnarok debuts on PC with just under 23,000 concurrent players on Steam, 60% fewer than God of War 2018's launch.

[thorstein]

"One potential reason for the lower numbers is the mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirement, which has frustrated many players."

Every AAA game requires logins from their publishers. Even on PS and Xbox you must still login to a 3rd party publisher.

Why is this journalist pretending this is the first time this has ever happened? Or that it hasn't existed since the 1990s?

[Tacoboto]

Hellblade 2 and Starfield dont require an Xbox login on Steam. Dragon Age coming soon won't require an EA login.

[BlackTar187]

Cool you named a couple games. That doesn’t in any way refute what he posted.

[Tacoboto]

Yes it does.

Or does "every" suddenly mean something different when Sony is involved in what we complain about other publishers doing?

[InUrFoxHole]

Lol. It doesn't refute? How about all the hate helldivers 2 got as well? Pc gamers are particular in this instance. It's not something that's just made up.

[90sGamingWasBetter]

If you're refusing to play a game because you have to log into a playstation account it's incredibly petty.

[thorstein]

So it turns out that PSN login isn't required to play this game.

I won't link anything but check Steam for comments about it.

[gamerz]

If it were optional I'd gladly link my account to see trophies, but force me to do it?!! Go f@#$j yourself!!

[northpaws]

So you don't mind it, but since it is required then you would rather skip a game that you want to play? Gamers these days are cry baby.

You are required to pay at a store when you buy something, do you just rob now?

[InUrFoxHole]

@Northpaws
That's is the most apples to oranges equation. If it's not that big of a deal then why not just skip it completely 🤷🏾?

[Giodel]

What a freaking crybaby! Go and grow up please! Or quit gaming.......

[LordoftheCritics]

Because 99% of the games on steam don't need this second cctv camera?

[thorstein]

There is little to no info on what percent of Steam games require third party accounts to play. it's simply not tracked. But I highly doubt only 1% of AAA games on Steam require an account.

[TheNamelessOne]

"every AAA game requires logins from their publishers"

Far from.

[thorstein]

Hyperbole. But nearly enough. AAA games, not every game.

[TheEroica]

Doesn't matter if it happens elsewhere, the fact it's happening now is potentially hurting sonys sales.

[porkChop]

Most games have the option to sign in to things like Ubisoft Connect, usually in exchange for in-game rewards/content. You don't always *have* to do these sign-ins though. But whenever it's forced people always complain about it. You should never be forced to sign-in to other platforms. If I'm playing a game on Steam I should not have to sign-in to PlayStation Network.

Even the trophies argument is ridiculous. Steam has built-in achievements. Sony should use them like everyone else does instead of forcing trophies if people don't want to sign-in.

[thorstein]

I agree that no one should be forced.

Thank you for reading and understanding what I said though, it's appreciated.

I was just stating that so many AAA games require an account.

I think some people are unaware that they're signing in because it's automated when they set up their accounts in the first place.

[Nitrowolf2]

Because the requirement also prevents the sale of the game in certain regions where the first game was available. Sure, it may not account for that extra percentage but a lost sale is still a lost sale

[itsmebryan]

Maybe people are not as interested in another GOW.

[Extermin8or3_]

It's not mandatory.... The overlay doesn't work on the steam deck, I've been playing just fine without being signed in.

[Amplitude]

I haven't seen a PC game that's *required* a login from a third party account for a very very long time. Literally no games require that anymore, other than a couple multiplayer Epic games and BattleNet games - which I don't play. And I suppose EA games often ask you to log into UPlay but I just never do. God only knows what my password for that is. Account logins are pretty much always skippable.

It is totally garbage to require an account for a single player game. I'm not gonna boycott the games over it, but lets not pretend like it's a normal requirement.

"Every AAA game requires logins from their publishers" with 27 agrees is hilarious and a good example of why the N4G userbase is Facebook levels of cringe

[thorstein]

Of course it's garbage to require linking an account.

"Literally no games require that anymore"

"other than a couple multiplayer Epic games"

"and BattleNet games"

"And EA games often ask you to log into UPlay"

"why the N4G userbase is Facebook levels of cringe"

People here upvote anyone who criticizes whatever they deem is woke.

I've been downvoted for doing math correctly.

[Giodel]

Did you play RDD 2??? You NEED to i stall their launcher to play it, why does no one complain about this? Because they are not sony.

[smashman98]

The Journalist isn't lying. For some reason, a lot of players are frustrated over this. I think its dumb but its definitely true.

[purple101]

also, its already cracked. for people who fly a flag with a skull and crossbones, you know what I mean

[Obscure_Observer]

"also, its already cracked. for people who fly a flag with a skull and crossbones, you know what I mean"

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine with 2225,690 all time peak players, says hello.

I understand why Sony will try to avoid and release their first party games day and date on PS5 and PC, especially their single player games which are expected to drive PS5 sales, whoever, such strategy really puts them between a rock and a hard place, since later releases on PC at full price, will most definitely attract less gamers.

Not sure if Sony´s strategy to sell more games while making their franchises more popular among PC gamers is working right now.

They have a more "agressive" plan/approach for PC in place. Let´s see how it unfolds.

[purple101]

I agree with you which normally isn’t the case! Hehe

“ Not sure if Sony´s strategy to sell more games while making their franchises more popular among PC gamers is working right now.”

I agree

Also Sony putting Lego horizon on switch

Not sure how that will work out either
Was probably a Lego stipulation to release on switch, but still interesting

[Vits]

It’s definitely working in the sense that it’s driving sales, and some people are buying, whereas before, no one seemed to care. However, what many people, especially Sony fans, don’t seem to understand is that while PlayStation games feel special and amazing to them, they don’t have the same appeal for the average PC gamer. The philosophy behind Sony-produced games prioritizes spectacle over substance, and a quick look at the top games on Steam shows that PC gamers often value the opposite.

It’s not that their games are bad, but it’s a tough sell when you’re offering the modern equivalent of a corridor shooter with a tour guide to explain the few mechanics to an audience that is used to playing competitive games with countless guides, automation games with extensive strategies, management simulations, and overall experiences that provide more depth and possibilities. By insisting they are a main course rather than a side dish, Sony is likely to see weak sales with each release, as very few in the PC ecosystem will consider those games worthy of that position.

The good news is that because they are solid games at the end of the day, they will have very long tails as they enter sales and discounts. We often see that Sony games rank quite high during Steam Sales when they’re offered at 50% to 70% off.

[PRIMORDUS]

Exactly, DODI or FitGirl repacks no PSN shit needed lol. "Arrr, Me Mateys" I mean if you want you can still buy the game, also keep the ISO in this way.

[MrDead]

The first one doesn't require a PSN account.

[Jin_Sakai]

God of War 2018 is simply a better game.

[VersusDMC]

I think it's time for Sony go get these studios to do remaster collections for Infamous, Killzone, Resistance, etc instead of PC ports. They would make way more money and actually get people excited.

[jznrpg]

Low sales will definitely have them reconsider their PC releases in the future.

[ChasterMies]

Or double down on live service games. People only say they will buy single player games.

[P_Bomb]

Raises the question, Is negative publicity worth it in the end? How will Sony respond, if at all?

[HankHill]

Keep dreaming. Sony doesn't care about old PS3 games. Remastered PS4 games is all you're going to get.

[TheColbertinator]

At that price? Keep it. I will buy it on sale if I do ever get around to it.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Sony will eventually release certain titles day and date mark my words. There’s to much money on PC to ignore. Some of you people need to understand that exclusives are slowly coming to an end. Sony doesn’t even have true exclusives anymore they have timed exclusives. Deny all you want but the proof is in the pudding.

[P_Bomb]

I dunno. 60% fewer sales than its predecessor sounds like a fail on the surface. Is it because of the PSN thing, or just lack of interest?

[Extermin8or3_]

You don't need PSN to play this just as you didn't GoT single player..... That's why it works on the steam deck.

[VersusDMC]

Ragnarok sold 15 million on consoles and there are only 30k playing it at launch on PC. Not really alot of money there for day one.

Playstation players already complain that games take too long to make so i doubt they will make developers take longer so they have a PC version day one to sell an extra 5% at 30% less revenue due to steam cut.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Do you really thing those numbers would be the same if GOWR released day and date on PC? I definitely would have bought it on PC instead.

[VersusDMC]

@speak

"I definitely would have bought it on PC instead."

Sounds like you bought it on PS5 due to it not being on PC. Which means Sony got 100% of your money instead of 70% and 30% going to steam.

Which is the reason why there will be no day 1 PC for their non live service /multiplayer games.

[purple101]

This was cracked on day 2 - there’s too much piracy on pc to ignore

Cheating in multiplayer games too

[Zombieburger638]

Blame it on piracy which isn’t as bad as you make it out to be, typical console player with no knowledge of pc. It’s a worse game than the first, it requires a psn account for single player and overall if you played the first game you’ve played the second. I just watched a play through and it was 90% just characters yapping about useless shit. Og god of war is so much better.

[PRIMORDUS]

There are other versions where you will never need a PSN account, every Sony port to PC (single player) you don't need one like this for example "God of War: Ragnarok - Digital Deluxe Edition (All DLCs + Bonus Content + 6 GB VRam Fix + MULTi22) (From 68.5 GB) [DODI Repack]" LOL Everyone complains but don't realize how easy these games are to get.

[Exvalos]

Big deal have to login to a free psn account, Pc guys getting an amazing exclusive but crying over a free login that takes all of 30 seconds.

[DustMan]

100% agree. This is so freaking stupid. Between social media, steaming television services, Windows, Steam, uber, door dash, nexus mods, or whatever else. PC gamers for whatever reason have chosen this as their hill to die on because Sony is evil? Did any PC gamer ever own a ps3, or a ps4. If so you already have one. Seriously, what is the big deal here?

[Exvalos]

There entitled cry babies

[FlameWater]

Sweet Baby Inc means I buy at lowest price

[SheenuTheLegend]

i still think they should launch the titles on multi platforms that people are unable to get anywhere else like god of war 1 &2 remastered, Ascension, PS versions. both current gen owners and pc players will like that and it will not devalue the PS5 system. people would still need the PS5 to play the latest but not anymore.

[Azfargh]

Mandatory PSN account login requirement is one. For me, the worse part was that I knew the pc port would be raw enough to have noticiable issues around (since Ratchet & Clank, Nixxes regained my respect of porting PS titles to PC). Sound is acting weird that gets very annoying, staggering present performance issues in specific parts, analog aiming drifting issues, gaming often crashing with Nvidia updated common drivers... it has been a bad experience since release. Luckly, I held my impulse to buy it and instead I am playing in a friends account. Yeah, my money was better expend on pre-ordering Space Marine 2: barely noticiable issues for me from DAY 1 and an smooth gaming even today. Shame on you Sony. Shame on you.

[SonOfOsiris]

LOL poor Sony

[repsahj]

32k players right now.

[Dandizzle]

Ragnarok is better than GOW. Quite an experience on PC. Bummer so many are missing out on a killer game

[Dandizzle]

Also mp1st is a shitty ass gaming news site

[PRIMORDUS]

Again paying for games that are not done, https://steamcommunity.com/...
Latest patch still having issues. Paying $60+ for a game that's not done is not acceptable and needs to stop. Even if you torrent it 😎 your still fucked with issues. Delay the game until it's actually done.

[Extermin8or3_]

I don't understand why everyone is talking about it needing a PSN account. I have it and am playing it on steam deck. I tried to link to my PSN and it wouldn't work because the overlay doesn't work on Linux... I can still play the game just fine.

[ocelot07]

I don't understand why Sony need to require a psn sign in on a single player game on PC. I know other company's do it as well. But I just don't understand it.

However, If pc players are simply not buying it due to this. Then fair enough I know a lot of pc players won't buy certain games on pc due to it being exclusive to say the epic game store. If it ain't on steam I don't want to know type of attitude.

What I do find a tad funny is. A lot of pc players are demanding Bloodborne remastered and demon's souls remake on pc. But if they do release these games on pc and require a psn log in? Then what? Steal the game? No buy it? What's the point in them releasing these games on pc then lol.

[jambola]

good
it sucks

[Scissorman]

And now it's at 35K and #9 on the best sellers list.

[jimtendo1983]

I used to love GOW, it's sad to see the pile of crap it has become

[Tapani]

I bought it but am not installing it yet due to 175gb size and probably playing it after multiple other Sony exclusives. Got 2 TB full of games I didn't finish (FFXVI, Forbidden West, BG3, etc. etc. ) already out of 2.5 TB total NVME/SSD space. The player count does to tell everything, the numbers are not comparable directly, although 60% less is a large number (but it is exactly the same time frame, same release days, or weekdays mixed etc. ? )

[derek]

PC brats will continue to act like children until Sony wises up and dumps this pc initiative that does absolutely nothing for them.