Sony's Latest PC Game No Longer Requires PSN Account

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 upcoming action RPG, Lost Soul Aside. The game, developed by Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames under Sony's China Hero Project, will not require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account for its PC version when it launches in 2025. This decision marks a significant shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming and could expand the game's accessibility to a broader audience.

Lost Soul Aside has been eagerly anticipated since its inception nearly nine years ago. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Devil May Cry, the game promises dynamic combat and a thrilling hack-and-slash experience. As part of Sony's support, the game will be published on both PS5 and PC. However, last year's introduction of mandatory PSN account linking for PlayStation games on PC sparked considerable controversy among the gaming community.

The requirement for a PSN account has been a barrier for PC gamers in over 100 countries where PSN is not supported, limiting the potential sales and reach of these titles. Fortunately, recent updates to Lost Soul Aside's Steam page indicate that this mandate has been removed. Initially, the Steam page did mention the need for a PSN account, but subsequent updates, as shown in SteamDB's history, confirm that this requirement was dropped shortly after the game's latest gameplay trailer was released in December 2024.

This change makes Lost Soul Aside the second Sony-published game to forgo the PSN account linking requirement on PC, following the precedent set by Helldivers 2. This development is a welcome relief for PC gamers in regions without PSN support and could signal a more flexible stance from Sony regarding its PC game releases.

While the exact reasons for this decision remain undisclosed, it's speculated that Sony aims to maximize the game's reach. The performance of recent PlayStation titles on PC, such as God of War Ragnarok, which saw significantly lower player counts on Steam compared to its predecessor, may have influenced this strategic shift.

In summary, the removal of the PSN account linking requirement for Lost Soul Aside's PC version is a significant move that could not only boost the game's potential but also suggest a more inclusive approach from Sony towards its PC gaming audience in the future.