The marketing for Spider-Man 2 has picked up the pace. PlayStation has recently released a new story trailer for the game and unveiled a special edition PS5 console. Insomniac Games has also promised more graphical improvements leading up to its launch.
While fans all over the world are excited about the title, Middle Eastern PlayStation owners might not be able to enjoy Spider-Man 2. According to various reports, the game cannot be purchased on PSN.
Why it matters: Games like Final Fantasy 16 have been banned in Middle Eastern countries due to the inclusion of LGBTQ characters. The recent events may hint at a similar outcome for Insomniac Games’ latest title.
RUMOUR 🚨🚨🚨
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” might be getting banned in Middle Eastern countries. The age rating has been taken off from the ME PS store
Games like TLoU Part 2 and FF16 have been previously banned for featuring LGBTQ+ content.#SpiderMan2PS5 #BeGreaterTogether pic.twitter.com/DKm0DTPf7a
— 𝗠𝗦𝗠 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 • #BeGreater #BeYourself (@MSM_Access) July 25, 2023
This was first reported by Twitter user MSM Access. However, a user on Reddit made a similar post after being unable to pre-order the game on PSN.
This has led to confusion and speculation within the Middle Eastern fandom. Reports have claimed that the game is still available on PSN but cannot be purchased. One user who purchased the game has also been refunded by PlayStation.
Other users state Spider-Man 2 cannot be found on the PSN store in Qatar and UAE, but users from Saudia Arabia claim it is still present on the platform. This has led to plenty of frustration and confusion.
As mentioned earlier, games like Final Fantasy 16 have been banned in the region. The region has strict policies for LGBTQ content, but it remains to be seen if this will impact Spider-Man 2.
It is possible that localization and censorship are being implemented for the title, leading to a potential delay. The fact that the game can still be found on certain storefronts makes a ban seem unlikely, but it cannot be completely ruled out.
Still, fans looking to enjoy the game can create a PSN account based on a different region. PSN gift cards for US and UK accounts are widely available online, and these can be used to buy the game if it is banned in the Middle East.
Spider-Man 2 is coming out on October 20. The game includes new additions like seamless switching between Peter and Miles, an expanded map with Queens and Brooklyn, and Venom as the main antagonist.
Therefore, anticipation for the game is increasing with each passing day, but Middle Eastern fans will likely be disappointed if the game is not released or banned in the region.
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[News Reporter]
Bawal is an MBBS student by day and a gaming journalist by night. He has been gaming since childhood, growing fond of the creativity and innovation of the industry. His career as a gaming journalist started one year ago, and his journey has allowed him to write reviews, previews, and features for various sites. Bawal has also been cited in reputed websites such as Screenrant, PCGamesN, WCCFTech, GamesRadar, and more.
