To understand the file, we have to break down its filename into three parts:
Missing Content: If you skip this and other "selective" files (like language packs), ensure you at least keep the English language file (often fg-selective-english.bin) to avoid missing audio or dialogue. fg-optional-psn-services.bin
The middle segment, psn-services, anchors the file to a specific commercial ecosystem. "PSN" encompasses more than just multiplayer matchmaking; it includes trophy synchronization, friend list presence, cloud save management, store entitlements (checking if a player owns DLC), and party voice chat routing. Each of these services is a complex subsystem requiring its own handshake protocols, encryption standards (often utilizing Sony’s proprietary authentication), and event hooks. Bundling them into a single .bin file suggests a conscious design choice: instead of dozens of smaller dynamically linked libraries (DLLs or PRXs), the developer has aggregated these dependent services into one contiguous block. This can improve load times on the PlayStation’s Blu-ray and hard drive architecture by reducing seek times and keeping related code physically adjacent. Security : The file's encrypted data and potential
fg-optional-psn-services.bin could compromise user data or allow unauthorized access to PSN services.Origins and Speculations
These were likely used for UX research. Later versions (4.70+) removed telemetry due to GDPR concerns. Origins and Speculations These were likely used for
3. Function: "Optional" Because these files are not required to play the single-player campaign—and can actually cause problems without a valid PSN account—FitGirl often separates them into an "optional" bin file.
Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut for PC support (US) - PlayStation