This raises a more interesting question. How many copies of DOOM have been sold in the Vatican?

Definitely, you don’t need a VPN. If you’re really worried about your first hop traffic standing out or being blocked, use the obfs4 bridges.

Sony: “And lastly…”
Gestures to a life-size Lovander doll
Sony: “Palworld the mega-doll! Pose it however you want! Stand it dramatically in a window! Lay it in bed and use it as a pillow!”

Sony (smugly): “But we know what you’re really going to use it for. You naughty little hand-holder, you.”

Players (suspicious): “So what is it you’re doing here, Sony?”

Sony: “Merchandizing.”

Players: “Merchandizing? What’s that?”

Sony: “Merchandizing! Come, I’ll show you. Open up this door.”

Sony: “Come, take a look! We’ve got the game’s logo on everything. Merchandizing, merchandizing… Where the real money from the game is made.”

Sony: “Palworld the t-shirt! Palworld the cell phone case! Palworld the laptop stickers! *Palworld, the flamethrower!”

Fwooosh!

Sony: “The kids love it.”

…This is not a publishing deal for Palworld the video game, or an acquisition by Sony, rather an attempt to make the most of the game’s huge popularity with non-video game products, such as merchandise and music…

Looks like we’re safe from any forced PSN account requirements. For now…