AH wasn't just aware... The game did require linking at launch, just like the Steam store page has said was required since day one. It was a requirement, enforced, and not hidden at all. The shitty PSN servers were part of the overall server issues at launch, so the linking was temporarily made optional while that was all sorted out.

AH just didn't do a good job at making it clear that the linking was mandatory, and only made optional temporarily. That could have been because they were told the issue would be fixed quickly, and the reality was it took much longer than planned. Wouldn't be the first time for Sony there. Sony and PSN server issues go hand on hand.

Sony, as the publisher, however also did not prevent sales in non-PSN regions as they should have from day one.