Sony's New PC Game Removes PSN Requirement

Summary

• Lost Soul Aside's PC version has seemingly removed the controversial PSN account linking requirement ahead of its 2025 launch.
• This will allow publisher Sony to sell Lost Soul Aside in countries that aren't supported by PSN, boosting the game's overall reach and sales potential.
• Sony's decision to drop the PSN account linking rule for Lost Soul Aside may hint at a more flexible approach for PlayStation's PC games going forward.

Exciting news has surfaced regarding Lost Soul Aside, an eagerly awaited title from Sony's China Hero Project. Recent evidence indicates that the PC version of this game will no longer require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account link, a move that has significant implications for its global availability and market reach. Set to launch in 2025, this decision will enable Sony to offer Lost Soul Aside in over 100 countries where PSN isn't supported, thereby expanding its potential player base.

Lost Soul Aside, developed by the Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames, has been in the works for nearly a decade. As a hack and slash action RPG inspired by classics like Devil May Cry, it promises dynamic and engaging combat. Sony, backing the project financially, plans to publish the game on both PS5 and PC. However, the requirement for PSN account linking on PC, which Sony introduced last year, stirred significant controversy among PC gamers.

The game's Steam page initially included a mention of the PSN account requirement, but according to SteamDB's update history, this stipulation was removed shortly after the latest gameplay trailer's debut in December 2024. This change marks Lost Soul Aside as the second Sony-published game to bypass the PSN account linking rule on PC, following the backlash and subsequent reversal during the Helldivers 2 controversy.

This development is a welcome relief for PC gamers eager to experience Lost Soul Aside, especially those in regions without PSN support. It also raises questions about Sony's approach to PC gaming. The decision to forgo PSN account linking for Lost Soul Aside might suggest a more adaptable strategy for future PlayStation games on PC, especially after less successful launches like God of War Ragnarok, which saw significantly lower player counts compared to its predecessor.

While the exact reasons behind Sony's decision remain speculative, it appears the company aims to maximize the game's accessibility and appeal to a broader audience. This shift could potentially signal a new direction for Sony's PC game distribution strategy, enhancing the gaming experience for players worldwide.