Sony's Latest PC Game No Longer Requires PSN Account %v

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 eagerly awaiting the release of Lost Soul Aside, the highly anticipated indie game from Sony's China Hero Project. Recent evidence suggests that the PC version of this hack and slash action RPG will no longer require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play, a decision that has significant implications for the game's global availability and sales potential.

Lost Soul Aside, developed by the Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames, has been in the works for nearly nine years. Drawing inspiration from iconic titles like Devil May Cry, the game promises dynamic combat and immersive gameplay. Sony, which has been funding the project, plans to release the game on both PS5 and PC. However, the recent trend of requiring PSN account linking for PlayStation games on PC has faced considerable backlash from the gaming community.

The requirement to link a PSN account has been a barrier for many PC gamers, particularly in over 100 countries where PSN is not supported. This limitation has historically restricted the sales and reach of PlayStation titles on PC. However, Lost Soul Aside appears to be breaking this trend. Following the debut of its latest gameplay trailer in December 2024, the game's Steam page initially mentioned the PSN account requirement. Yet, according to SteamDB's update history, this mandate was removed the very next day.

This development is a welcome relief for PC gamers in regions without PSN support, who can now look forward to experiencing Lost Soul Aside without any account linking hurdles. It also marks a significant shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming, as Lost Soul Aside becomes only the second Sony-published game to drop the PSN account linking requirement, following the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2.

While the exact reasons behind Sony's decision remain unclear, it's speculated that the company aims to maximize the game's reach and player base. The performance of recent PlayStation titles on PC, such as God of War Ragnarok, which saw a significant drop in Steam player counts compared to its predecessor, may have influenced this strategic move.

In summary, the removal of the PSN account linking requirement for Lost Soul Aside on PC not only broadens its market but also signals a potential shift in Sony's strategy for future PlayStation games on the platform. This move could pave the way for a more inclusive and accessible gaming experience for PC players worldwide.