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 emerged for fans of the much-anticipated game, Lost Soul Aside. Recent updates suggest that the PC version of this upcoming title, developed by Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames and published by Sony, will not require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. This development comes as a significant relief to PC gamers worldwide, especially those residing in the over 100 countries where PSN is not supported.

Lost Soul Aside has been a project to watch, stemming from PlayStation's China Hero Project incubation program. This hack and slash action RPG, drawing inspiration from classics like Devil May Cry, emphasizes dynamic combat and has been in development for nearly nine years. Sony, having funded the game's development, is set to release it on both PS5 and PC in 2025. However, last year's introduction of mandatory PSN account linking for PlayStation games on PC caused a stir among the gaming community due to its restrictive nature.

The recent gameplay trailer for Lost Soul Aside, which debuted in December 2024, was followed by the game's Steam page going live. Initially, the Steam page did indeed mention a PSN account requirement, but a swift update removed this mandate, as evidenced by the SteamDB update history. This move not only broadens the game's accessibility but also signals a potential shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming.

This decision marks Lost Soul Aside as the second Sony-published game, following the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2, to drop the PSN account linking requirement on PC. It's a noteworthy development, suggesting that Sony might be reconsidering its strict policies on account linking for its PC titles. The rationale behind this move remains unclear, but it's speculated that Sony aims to maximize the game's reach and player base, given the lukewarm reception of other PlayStation games on PC that enforced PSN linking, such as God of War Ragnarok, which saw significantly lower player counts compared to its predecessor.

For PC gamers eager to dive into Lost Soul Aside, this news is a welcome development, promising a more inclusive gaming experience when the title launches in 2025.