God of War Ragnarok PC Release Faces Optimization Issues and Piracy Concerns

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20 Sep 2024

Technical Insights on God of War Ragnarok's PC Release

The highly anticipated PC version of God of War Ragnarok, developed by Santa Monica Studio, launched on September 19. This iteration boasts enhanced graphics and several new features that distinguish it from its console counterpart.

Players and critics have pointed out a notable drawback in the game: the companions frequently provide hints for puzzles, which diminishes the challenge and engagement. In response to this feedback, the developers have introduced an option in the PC version that allows players to adjust the frequency of these hint dialogues, thereby restoring some of the puzzle-solving experience.

While the peak online activity for Ragnarok has yet to impress, it is important to reserve judgment until the weekend crowds arrive. However, initial player reviews have surfaced, revealing some dissatisfaction with the PC version. Key issues include:

  • PSN Integration: The game now requires a PlayStation Network account, a trend expected to continue across all future Sony titles on PC.
  • Poor Optimization: The game struggles on systems with 4 GB of VRAM, necessitating at least 6 GB of VRAM to run at minimal settings of 1080p with 30 FPS.

It is worth noting that the PC version of God of War (2018) also faced technical challenges at launch, with developers rolling out patches over the course of a year to enhance performance on mid-range and lower-end systems. Thus, it may take time before God of War Ragnarok reaches optimal functionality.

In a notable trend, Sony’s PC releases have been devoid of Denuvo DRM protection, and God of War Ragnarok follows suit. Unfortunately, this has led to the game being compromised by the hacking group RUNE, with pirated versions already circulating on torrent sites. Additionally, it is important to highlight that the game is not available for purchase in several regions, further complicating access for potential players.

Is there any way to play God of War Ragnarok on PC?

As of now, there is no official way to play God of War Ragnarok directly on a PC. The game was developed by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. However, you can consider using cloud gaming services like PlayStation Now if Sony ever adds the game to its catalog, or wait for a potential future PC port, though none has been officially announced.

Why is God of War Ragnarok not on PC?

God of War Ragnarok is currently not available on PC because it was developed as a PlayStation exclusive title by Santa Monica Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sony often releases its first-party games exclusively for its own consoles to promote hardware sales. While some PlayStation exclusives have been ported to PC after some time, no official announcement has been made regarding a PC version of God of War Ragnarok yet.
Update: 20 Sep 2024