Sony Game Removes PSN Need for PC Release

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 for fans of the highly anticipated indie game, Lost Soul Aside: it appears that the PC version of this upcoming title will no longer require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play. This development, which surfaced just before its slated 2025 release, marks a significant shift from Sony's recent policy and could greatly enhance the game's global accessibility.

Lost Soul Aside, a product of Sony's China Hero Project, has been in development for nearly nine years by the Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames. The game, which blends dynamic combat with influences from Devil May Cry, has garnered attention as one of the most promising titles from the incubation program. Sony, backing the project, will publish Lost Soul Aside for both PS5 and PC. However, the requirement for PC gamers to link a PSN account, implemented last year, faced considerable backlash from the community.

The decision to remove the PSN account linking for Lost Soul Aside on PC is poised to expand the game's reach significantly. With over 100 countries not supported by PSN, this move allows Sony to tap into these markets, potentially increasing sales and player engagement. The change was noticed shortly after the game's latest gameplay trailer was released in December 2024, when the Steam page for Lost Soul Aside initially listed the PSN requirement but removed it the very next day, according to SteamDB updates.

This development is a breath of fresh air for PC gamers, especially those in regions without PSN support, eager to dive into Lost Soul Aside. It also raises questions about Sony's approach to PC releases of PlayStation games. Previously, the only other notable instance of Sony reversing the PSN account linking mandate was during the Helldivers 2 controversy. The decision to exclude Lost Soul Aside from this requirement suggests that Sony might be reconsidering its stance on PSN account linking for PC titles.

While the exact reasons behind Sony's decision remain unclear, it's speculated that the company aims to maximize Lost Soul Aside's player base. The performance of PlayStation games on PC has been under scrutiny since the introduction of PSN account linking, with titles like God of War Ragnarok seeing lower player counts compared to their predecessors. By dropping the PSN requirement for Lost Soul Aside, Sony could be signaling a more flexible approach to its PC game strategy moving forward.