Overview
- Sony remains confident regarding the retention of PS5 users amidst rising PC gaming trends.
- Sales figures for the PS5 are comparable to those of the PS4, despite the absence of guaranteed permanent exclusives for the newer console.
- The company is poised to adopt a more proactive approach towards releasing PlayStation titles on PC.
According to a company official, Sony isn’t overly concerned about the potential loss of PlayStation users to PC gaming. This insight emerged during a recent discussion about the role of PC within Sony’s publishing strategy, emphasizing the company’s commitment to console gaming.
The shift to bringing first-party titles to PC began in 2020, with Horizon Zero Dawn leading the charge. Since then, the initiative has accelerated, particularly following Sony’s acquisition of the PC porting expert Nixxes in 2021.
While transitioning PlayStation exclusives to PC broadens their audience and creates additional revenue opportunities, it raises questions about whether this might undermine the unique appeal of Sony’s hardware. Nevertheless, according to a representative, the company has not observed any significant trends indicating a migration of users to PC. During a late 2024 Q&A session with investors, the official remarked, “In terms of losing users to PCs, we have neither confirmed that any such trend is underway, nor do we see it as a major risk so far.”
Impact of PC Ports on PS5 Sales
Sony’s observation aligns with the console’s robust sales performance. As of November 2024, the PS5 has achieved sales of 65.5 million units, positioning it closely alongside the PS4, which sold slightly over 73 million units in the same timeframe. This modest gap is largely attributable to pandemic-related supply constraints rather than the availability of permanent exclusives. Given the consistency of PS5 sales across generations, it’s logical for Sony to view its PC porting efforts as posing minimal risk to the overall value of the PS5.
The company is not only expected to continue its current strategy surrounding PC ports but is also likely to intensify this approach. During a 2024 address, Sony President Hiroki Totoki conveyed the plan to expedite the timeline between the PS5 and Steam releases. A prime example of this strategy is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, slated for a PC launch on January 30—just 15 months after its initial release—marking a dramatic shift from the two-plus year exclusivity experienced by its predecessor, Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
In addition to Spider-Man 2, PC gamers have another significant title to anticipate with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, set to launch on Steam on January 23. Moreover, several marquee PS5 exclusives remain unannounced for PC, including Gran Turismo 7, Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade, and the Demon’s Souls remake.
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