PSN Restricts PC Access
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls PC Release Blocked in Over 130 Countries by PSN Requirements
Anonymous
Key Points
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Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is a collaborative release from Arc System Works, Marvel Games, and PlayStation Studios, underscoring a joint PS ecosystem push for PC and PlayStation platforms.
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SteamDB shows the PC store page blocked in regions with a prominent 'Not in 132 countries' notice, and players in affected regions report errors when loading the page; Sony has not officially confirmed the restriction.
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Some outlets report the block spanning roughly 132–136 countries, and Steam listings note six countries where Marvel Tokon’s price has not yet been set, signaling uneven regional access and pricing.
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Sony’s live-service strategy is cited as a driver for Marvel Tokon’s PSN-linked PC approach, with Sony’s Hideaki Nishino described as framing the title within that ongoing strategy.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, the upcoming fighting game from Arc System Works, Marvel Games, and PlayStation Studios, is already in trouble — and it hasn't even launched yet. SteamDB data shows the PC version is blocked in 132 countries, with players in affected regions hitting errors when trying to load its Steam store page. Sony has not officially confirmed the block.
The cause appears to be a PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirement. PSN — Sony's online platform — is not available in many countries, so any game that requires it can't be sold there. The game is set to launch on August 6, 2026. Steam Deck HQ reports that blocked regions include major markets like the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Canada, and Mexico.
PSN Gating Shuts Out Players in 132 Countries
According to The Outer Haven, the block was first spotted by a SteamDB user named Chairmanchuck. The listing shows a clear "Not in 132 countries" notice on the PC store page. Some outlets put the number even higher — between 132 and 136 countries — and Shane the Gamer notes that six countries still have no price set for the game, pointing to uneven rollout plans.
The block means players in those regions simply cannot buy the game on Steam. It has nothing to do with content rules or local censorship. The only barrier is PSN availability. Where Sony's network doesn't operate, the game doesn't go.
Helldivers 2 Did This Before — and Reversed Course
This is not the first time Sony has done this. In 2024, Helldivers 2 launched on PC with a PSN requirement that locked out players in dozens of countries. The backlash was massive. Players review-bombed the game on Steam, and Sony eventually reversed the decision, allowing broader PC access without mandatory PSN sign-in.
Archynetys reports that the Marvel Tōkon situation is drawing the same kind of criticism from fans and media. The concern is that Sony learned little from Helldivers 2. If the restriction sticks this time, it could split the player base across regions right from day one — especially damaging for a multiplayer fighting game that relies on a healthy online community.
Sony's Live-Service Push Is Driving the PSN Requirement
Marvel Tōkon is built around online play. It's not a single-player game you can finish offline. That matters because Sony has been pushing a live-service model — games that keep players online, earning money through updates and ongoing content. Shane the Gamer notes that Sony's Hideaki Nishino has framed the title within that ongoing live-service strategy.
For Sony, tying PC games to PSN makes sense from a business angle. It keeps players inside the PlayStation ecosystem even when they're on a PC. But the trade-off is real: a massive chunk of the global market gets locked out. For a new fighting game trying to build a competitive scene, that's a serious problem.
Still Hope — But Only If Sony Changes Course
Steam Deck HQ says there is still hope the block could be lifted before the August 6, 2026 launch. The Helldivers 2 reversal shows Sony can change its mind when pressure is high enough. The game is still more than a year away, giving Sony time to adjust its approach before players are actually shut out at launch.
For now, Sony has said nothing. No official statement, no confirmation of the block, and no hint of a fix. Fans in affected regions are left watching and waiting — hoping history repeats itself in the right way.
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