Arc System Works’ upcoming title, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, slated for an August 6 release, is facing a curious distribution snag: it will be unavailable on Steam in 132 countries.
While the Steam storefront offers no official statement, the culprit appears to be the absence of PlayStation Network access in those nations, effectively preventing the game’s purchase on PC.
Ironically, the same list of restricted regions mirrors the 132 countries that barred Helldivers 2 from Steam, hinting at a broader policy shift affecting PlayStation‑exclusive titles on the platform.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has taken the step of blocking Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls on PC in 130 of those territories, meaning the game cannot be bought via Steam or the Epic Games Store where PlayStation Network is unavailable.
Sony has pulled PlayStation Network services from several regions—including Jamaica, Iran, Belarus, Egypt, and Nigeria—leaving gamers in those markets without access to online features. If this move is permanent rather than a fleeting ban, the company’s rationale remains unclear, raising questions about potential reputational fallout.
The suspected motive behind the restriction is the cross‑play functionality slated for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which will allow players on PC and PS5 to compete simultaneously. To participate, users must connect their PlayStation Network account to the PC version.
However, if Sony is using cross‑play as a pretext to block the title in those regions, the justification appears weak. PC players could simply opt out of cross‑play, and the decision coincides with Sony’s announced shift away from publishing single‑player titles on PC, focusing solely on live‑service releases.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why has Sony blocked Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls on Steam in over 100 countries?
Sony has disabled PlayStation Network services in those regions, and the game relies on PSN for cross‑play and online features. Without PSN access, Steam cannot legally offer the title, so Sony has blocked it to enforce its exclusivity policy.
Which countries are affected by the block?
The block covers 132 countries, including Jamaica, Iran, Belarus, Egypt, Nigeria, and many others where Sony has pulled PlayStation Network services.
Can players in the blocked regions still play Marvel Tōkon on PC?
No. Players in those territories cannot purchase or play the game on PC via Steam or the Epic Games Store. They would need to wait for Sony to lift the restriction or use a VPN, but such methods are not officially supported.
News Source: Kotaku
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