Why are some Sony games still region blocked while others like Horizon FW aren't?

[Molokon]

Lets take Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West as an example. H2 got released before PSN linking being mandatory; after the backlash, they reverted the decision and this was left as optional. Yet Horizon Forbidden West, since its launch, have had the PSN account linking as optional, and was never region blocked (aside for a brief moment when they actually blocked it for some unknow reason before reverting it back).

[ْSmoke™]

they locked all of their games since hell divers till now for over 170 countries, i don't know how this could be beneficial.

[miakisfan]

Originally posted by Molokon:

Lets take Helldivers 2 and Horizon Forbidden West as an example. H2 got released before PSN linking being mandatory; after the backlash, they reverted the decision and this was left as optional. Yet Horizon Forbidden West, since its launch, have had the PSN account linking as optional, and was never region blocked (aside for a brief moment when they actually blocked it for some unknow reason before reverting it back).

My guess would be that the region locking (or lack thereof) has something to do with it. Also pirating games as well.

No matter what it was (I don't work for Sony) you can bet there is a reason behind it. If it was your money wouldn't you?

People tend to forget how much money it takes to make video games ... especially nowadays. Every decision that is made has to be made with money as a part of it.

How old is Horizon Forbidden West as opposed to some of the other games you are talking about? That might give you your answer. BTW I'm assuming you are speaking about the Steam versions of the games.

Personally I would suggest actually asking Sony for an answer. I doubt you are going to find someone here from Sony being able to answer your question AND they are the only ones I would trust for the right answer.

[Molokon]

Originally posted by ْSmoke™:

they locked all of their games since hell divers till now for over 170 countries, i don't know how this could be beneficial.

That's the weird thing, their decisions are so inconsistent and unpredictable. Supposedly, all already published games should have been untouched, but they deleted the original Horizon zero dawn, introduced the region locked Horizon zero dawn remastered while maintaining Horizon Forbidden West region free. The first god of war and spider man games are also untouched in this regard.

[Wolfpig]

Originally posted by Molokon:

but they deleted the original Horizon zero dawn,

That is not really uncommon that publishers remove old versions from sale when they bring out a remaster or something like that.

See for example Blizzard, bethesda etc.