Amidst Xbox’s multiplatform publishing strategy, Sony is reiterating its commitment to prioritizing the PlayStation 5. During a recent Sony business meeting and “fireside chat,” PlayStation Studios CEO Hermen Hulst stated the company is taking a “very measured, very deliberate approach” when it comes to deciding if and when a first-party title appears on other platforms like PC.
Sony has been porting many of its marquee titles to PC for years. Some of its more recent live-service titles, like Helldivers 2 and the short-lived Concord, released day-and-date on console and PC, while tentpole single-player games like God of War: Ragnarok or Ghost of Tsushima typically release on PS5 first and arrive at least a year later on PC.
When asked about the industry’s move towards multiplatform titles and how Sony is looking to protect the “value” of the PS5 console, Hulst indicated that Sony isn’t looking to change its current strategy.
“It’s important to realize that we’re really thoughtful about bringing our franchises off console to reach new audiences and that we’re taking a very measured, very deliberate approach in doing that,” Hulst said. “Particularly on the single-player side, our tentpole titles, they’re such a point of differentiation for the PlayStation console.”
He went on to say that Sony’s first-party titles are meant to be a showcase for the PS5 hardware, and that the company wants players to “get the best experience” from these titles playing on PS5.
“We’re very thoughtful about how and if and how we bring these titles to other platforms,” Hulst said.
It’s an approach that appears to be working, even as Microsoft doubles down on its multiplatform game strategy of releasing Xbox titles on PS5 with positive results. When asked about Microsoft’s strategy and whether or not it’s a good thing, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino said he believed competition in the industry is good and creates innovation, but that Sony is “confident and committed to our current strategy.”
In addition to discussing how its approaching platform exclusivity, Sony reiterated its commitment to live-service titles, with Hulst stating he doesn’t believe Bungie’s upcoming shooter Marathon will suffer the same fate as Concord.
