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 surfaced for fans eagerly awaiting the release of Lost Soul Aside. Recent evidence indicates that the PC version of this much-anticipated game, set to launch in 2025, will no longer require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play. This change not only enhances the gaming experience for PC users but also significantly broadens the regions where Sony can market and sell the game.

Lost Soul Aside is a standout from PlayStation's China Hero Project, a program dedicated to nurturing indie talent. Developed by the Shanghai-based studio UltiZeroGames, this hack and slash action RPG has been in the works for nearly nine years. It draws heavy inspiration from the beloved Devil May Cry series and promises dynamic combat that will captivate fans of the genre. Sony, having funded its development, will publish Lost Soul Aside for both PS5 and PC.

Last year, Sony introduced a mandatory PSN account linking for its PC games, a move that stirred considerable controversy among PC gamers. This requirement limited the sales and accessibility of these games, particularly in over 100 countries where PSN services are not available. However, Lost Soul Aside appears to be breaking away from this trend.

Following the release of its latest gameplay trailer in December 2024, Lost Soul Aside's Steam page was updated. Initially, it included a notice that a PSN account would be required, but the following day, this mandate was quietly removed, as evidenced by SteamDB's update history.

This development is a breath of fresh air for PC gamers, especially those in regions unsupported by PSN. It also marks an intriguing shift in Sony's strategy for its PC titles. Previously, the only other instance of Sony reversing the PSN account linking requirement was with Helldivers 2, after significant backlash. Lost Soul Aside's exclusion from this rule suggests that Sony might adopt a more flexible stance on PSN account linking for future PC releases.

While the exact 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 PC titles, such as God of War Ragnarok, which saw a significantly lower player count compared to its predecessor on Steam, may have influenced this decision.

In summary, the removal of the PSN account linking requirement for Lost Soul Aside on PC is a significant move that not only benefits gamers but also reflects a potential shift in Sony's approach to its PC game offerings.