Sony seems to have walked back into a familiar controversy. Despite the massive community backlash following the mandatory PlayStation Network account requirement for Helldivers 2—which saw the game pulled from storefronts in countries without PSN access—it appears the company hasn't changed its policy for its next major release. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls has been region-restricted on Steam in 132 countries where the PlayStation Network is not officially available.
A Recurring Issue for Global Players
While Sony did eventually reverse the PSN requirement for Helldivers 2 after intense pressure, the company has continued to apply restrictive policies to its PC ports. Titles like God of War Ragnarok, Spider-Man 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and The Last of Us 2 Remastered have faced similar hurdles. Though many of these restrictions were lifted following public outcry, Until Dawn remains restricted, and Marvel Tōkon is now facing the same barrier at launch.
This decision impacts a significant portion of the global fighting game community. Countries with large, dedicated player bases, such as Pakistan, are currently blocked from accessing the game on Steam. Other affected regions include Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Fiji, Jamaica, Monaco, and Vatican City, leaving players in those areas unable to participate in the game’s upcoming test phases.
Open Beta and Roster Details
For players in regions where the game is available, Marvel Tōkon is hosting an open beta on PC and PS5 starting July 24 and ending July 26, 2026. The beta will feature a specific look at the game's tag-team mechanics, including the recently revealed Blade. He joins a roster that includes Ghost Rider, Loki, and Deadpool. The inclusion of Deadpool has raised some eyebrows among fans hoping for a more grounded, spooky aesthetic, with some noting the absence of characters like Nico Minoru.
This latest move follows a series of PR challenges for Sony, including its retreat from physical media sales, the earlier back-and-forth regarding single-player games on PC, and the company's stated commitment to integrating AI to “unleash the creativity of studios.” Whether the outcry over Marvel Tōkon will force another U-turn remains to be seen, but for now, the barrier to entry remains firmly in place for a massive swathe of the global audience.