Sony's PC Port Strategy: No PS5 User Loss Concerns
Sony isn't concerned about losing PlayStation 5 (PS5) users to PC gaming, according to a company representative. This statement follows a recent discussion of Sony's PC publishing strategy, which has seen an increase in first-party titles ported to the platform since 2020, starting with Horizon Zero Dawn. The acquisition of Nixxes Software in 2021 further accelerated this initiative.
While porting exclusives to PC expands reach and revenue, it theoretically weakens the PS5's unique selling proposition. However, Sony's data suggests otherwise. As of November 2024, PS5 sales stand at 65.5 million units, comparable to the PS4's sales after its first four years. Sony attributes the slight difference to PS5 supply chain issues during the pandemic, not a shift to PC gaming. This strong PS5 performance reinforces their belief that PC ports have minimal impact on console sales.
The company representative explicitly stated, "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."
Increased Aggressiveness in PC Porting
Sony intends to further accelerate its PC porting strategy. In 2024, President Hiroki Totoki announced plans to be more "aggressive," reducing the time between PS5 and PC releases. Marvel's Spider-Man 2, launching on PC January 30th, just 15 months after its PS5 debut, exemplifies this shift. This contrasts sharply with the previous game in the series, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which remained a PlayStation exclusive for over two years.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth also arrives on Steam January 23rd, further demonstrating this commitment. Several high-profile PS5 exclusives remain unannounced for PC, including Gran Turismo 7, Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade, and the Demon's Souls remake.
