PlayStation Launches Phase 4 of China Hero Project with More Investment

Lost Soul Aside (Image Credit: PlayStation)

PlayStation has officially launched the 4th phase of its China Hero Project during a conference held in Shanghai, aiming to further support Chinese game developers with increased funding, upgraded resources, and deeper global integration.

First introduced in 2016, the China Hero Project is PlayStation’s long-running initiative to nurture homegrown talent and bring more Chinese-developed games to international audiences.

At the event, Sony Interactive Entertainment (Shanghai) highlighted several upgrades to the program. Virtuos, known for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, will now serve as a co-developer on select titles. RichTap is contributing advanced haptic technology, and PlayStation’s Visual Arts team will assist in UI/UX evaluations, aiming to boost production quality across the board.

Three projects from earlier phases — Daba: Land of Water Traces, Latent Threshold, and EXILEDGE — have secured additional funding to accelerate their development. Meanwhile, two new games, Infinite Soldiers and Long Dream of the Night, have already launched in 2025. Lost Soul Aside, one of the most anticipated titles from the program's debut phase, is now set for a global release on August 29 across PS5 and PC, following several years of refinement.

At the press conference, Sean Kelly, General Manager of Sony Interactive Entertainment China’s Software Division, expressed appreciation for the development community. He noted that Chinese titles are “gaining the attention and recognition of players and the industry,” highlighting the platform’s growing success.

In a video message, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Hideaki Nishino reaffirmed the company's ongoing commitment to Chinese developers. Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, also shared his optimism about the project’s future.

According to Youxichaguan reports, the upgraded support system now includes early code review, marketing assistance, and technical evaluations to help developers achieve international standards.

For studios interested in joining the China Hero Project, applications are now open. Developers can send their project pitches to china.heroproject@sony.com.