Sony, having tried the stick to convince PC gamers to sign up for PlayStation Network accounts to access their games on Steam (with, let us say, mixed results), has now decided that maybe it's time to give the carrot a try.

Hooray! PSN accounts will no longer be a necessary evil for all of us who want to play previously PlayStation-exclusive games via Steam. Sony has been heavily criticised for forcing users to log in via the PlayStation Network to experience titles like God of War: Ragnarök and Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered. But now they are backing down.

Sony will no longer require players to link a PlayStation Network account to enjoy some of its PC games – but there are a few new bonuses in store for those who do.