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 highly anticipated indie game, Lost Soul Aside. It appears that the PC version of this upcoming title, developed by Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames and published by Sony, will no longer require players to link a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. This significant change comes ahead of the game's planned release in 2025 and has the potential to greatly expand its accessibility and sales potential.
Lost Soul Aside has been eagerly awaited since its inception under PlayStation's China Hero Project. This hack and slash action RPG, drawing inspiration from iconic games like Devil May Cry and focusing on "dynamic combat," has been in development for nearly nine years. Sony, who has been funding and will be publishing the game on both PS5 and PC, introduced mandatory PSN account linking for their PC titles last year, a move that faced considerable backlash from the gaming community.
The decision to remove the PSN account requirement for Lost Soul Aside is a game-changer, especially considering that over 100 countries worldwide do not support PSN. This restriction previously limited the sales and player base of PC games requiring PSN accounts. However, following the debut of Lost Soul Aside's latest gameplay trailer in December 2024 and the subsequent launch of its Steam page, updates indicate that the PSN account mandate was dropped just a day later.
This development is a breath of fresh air for PC gamers, particularly those in regions unsupported by PSN, who were eagerly awaiting Lost Soul Aside. It also marks a notable shift in Sony's strategy for PlayStation games on PC. Previously, the only other game to reverse the PSN account linking requirement was Helldivers 2, following significant controversy. Lost Soul Aside's exemption suggests that Sony may be reevaluating its strict stance on PSN account linking.
While the specific reasons for this change remain undisclosed, it's speculated that Sony aims to maximize Lost Soul Aside's player base. The performance of recent PlayStation games 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 decision.
In summary, the removal of the PSN account requirement for Lost Soul Aside's PC version not only enhances the game's accessibility but also signals a potential shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming. This move could pave the way for a more inclusive and flexible strategy for future PlayStation titles on PC.
