Sony Interactive Entertainment appears to have silently removed regional restrictions on a number of its high-profile titles available on Steam, signaling a potential shift in its approach toward global digital distribution. According to updates observed on SteamDB, several major PlayStation titles including God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2, are no longer bound by regional purchase restrictions. These adjustments allow players from regions previously locked out of these games to now access and purchase them freely.
Sony appears to be relaxing its digital distribution policies, continuing a recent trend of removing regional restrictions. Following Stellar Blade’s pre-launch accessibility expansion, the upcoming Lost Soul Aside (developed by Ultizero Games in collaboration with Sony) has similarly dropped its PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirement for Steam activation. This change, implemented on December 19, 2024, now allows players in previously restricted regions to purchase the game.
These developments signal a potential shift away from Sony’s traditional insistence on PSN integration for PC releases—a policy that had long locked out customers in unsupported regions. It remains uncertain whether this indicates a permanent policy shift or temporary modifications for specific titles; nonetheless, these actions highlight Sony’s increasing willingness to engage with global PC audiences for PlayStation games on Steam.
Adding further weight to these developments is a recent discovery relating to the PlayStation Store itself. On June 11, 2025, it was reported that Apple Pay can now be used for cross-region purchases on the PlayStation Store. A ResetEra forum member revealed that they were able to complete a US PlayStation Store purchase using Apple Pay linked to a Danish credit card, without encountering the usual regional payment restrictions. Historically, users hoping to buy games from foreign PSN stores had to resort to region-specific gift cards purchased through third-party vendors, as traditional payment methods like PayPal remain strictly region-locked.
This newfound payment flexibility—whether implemented intentionally or resulting from a system glitch—significantly streamlines access for gamers managing multiple regional accounts. For years, PlayStation fans have had to jump through hoops with gift cards and alternate profiles to access regional pricing or early releases. Now, this potential loophole may eliminate those cumbersome workarounds.
When viewed alongside Sony’s recent relaxation of Steam region locks, these changes suggest a potential sea change in the company’s digital strategy. While Sony remains silent on whether this marks official policy, the combined developments hint at a more open approach to global accessibility.
