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 Lost Soul Aside, an eagerly awaited title from Sony's publishing arm. It appears that the PC version of this game has eliminated the contentious requirement of linking a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. This pivotal change not only simplifies the gaming experience for PC users but also broadens the geographical scope where Sony can offer Lost Soul Aside upon its 2025 release.

Emerging from PlayStation's China Hero Project, Lost Soul Aside has captured attention as a standout indie game. Developed by the Shanghai-based UltiZeroGames, this hack and slash action RPG draws inspiration from classics like Devil May Cry, emphasizing dynamic combat. After nearly nine years in development, Sony has stepped in to fund and publish the game on both PS5 and PC. However, the recent trend of requiring PSN account linking for PlayStation titles on PC has stirred controversy among gamers.

The decision to drop the PSN account requirement for Lost Soul Aside is particularly significant because over 100 countries globally do not support PSN. This limitation previously restricted the sales and reach of PC games requiring PSN accounts. Following the debut of Lost Soul Aside's latest gameplay trailer in December 2024, and the subsequent launch of its Steam page, an initial mention of the PSN account requirement was quickly removed, as evidenced by SteamDB's update history.

Lost Soul Aside marks the second instance where Sony has relaxed the PSN account linking rule for a PC game, following the uproar surrounding Helldivers 2. This development is a welcome relief for PC gamers in regions without PSN support and suggests a potential shift in Sony's approach to PC gaming.

While the exact reasons for this policy change remain undisclosed, it's speculated that Sony aims to maximize the game's accessibility and player base. The performance of recent PlayStation titles on PC, such as God of War Ragnarok, which saw significantly lower player counts compared to its predecessor, may have influenced this decision. By removing the PSN account requirement, Sony could be signaling a more adaptable strategy for its PC game offerings in the future.