It appears that PC players in 132 countries will be unable to purchase the upcoming fighter Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls when it launches on August 6, 2026. Data from SteamDB indicates that the title, developed by Arc System Works and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is currently restricted in a list of nations that mirrors the exact countries blocked during the Helldivers 2 account-linking fiasco.
While Sony has not provided an official explanation on the game's Steam store page, the pattern of restrictions correlates perfectly with regions where the PlayStation Network (PSN) is unavailable. The list includes countries such as Iran, Belarus, Egypt, Nigeria, and Jamaica. This move suggests that Sony is enforcing strict geographic limitations based on the accessibility of its online infrastructure.
The Crossplay Connection
The core of the issue likely stems from the game's crossplay implementation. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is set to feature cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation 5 at launch, a feature that Sony seemingly mandates be tied to a PSN account. For users in the affected 132 countries, the inability to create a PSN account renders the PC version effectively inaccessible under Sony's current policy.
Critics have pointed out that Sony could theoretically allow PC players to opt out of crossplay to bypass these regional locks, but the publisher has instead opted for a blanket restriction. This decision has sparked immediate negative feedback, as it mirrors the recent controversy surrounding the mandatory account requirements for Helldivers 2.
A Shift in Sony's PC Strategy?
The timing of these restrictions has drawn additional scrutiny regarding Sony's broader commitment to the PC platform. Reports suggest that Sony plans to move away from publishing single-player titles on PC, shifting its focus exclusively toward live-service games. As Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls represents a high-profile release for the platform, the decision to restrict access in such a large number of territories has left many questioning how the company intends to manage its PC presence moving forward.
For now, players in the affected regions remain unable to purchase or access the game on Steam or the Epic Games Store, as the restriction remains in place ahead of the August release.