Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of PlayStation’s indie division, recently shared insights on Sony’s evolving strategy regarding the release of major first-party titles on PC. In a conversation on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, Yoshida, who concluded a remarkable 30-year tenure at Sony, expressed his enthusiasm for accelerating the arrival of these titles on the PC platform, a vision that initially clashed with the company’s traditional business model.
Expanding Horizons
Yoshida articulated the multifaceted benefits of releasing games on PC, emphasizing that it opens doors to a broader audience, particularly in regions where console gaming is not as prevalent. He noted,
“Releasing on PC does many things: it reaches a new audience who do not own consoles – especially in regions where consoles are not as popular. The idea is that those people may become fans of a particular franchise, and when a new game in that series comes out, they may be convinced to purchase a PlayStation.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the financial advantages of this strategy, stating that porting games to PC is significantly more cost-effective than developing entirely new titles. This approach not only generates additional revenue but also supports investments in new projects amidst rising game development costs. Yoshida remarked,
“It’s almost like printing money. And that helps us to invest in new titles now that the cost of games has increased.”
He also pointed out the immense potential of the Chinese market, which is predominantly a PC gaming landscape, while the console market remains relatively small. “In order to reach the audience in countries like China, it’s crucial to release on PC. So, I believe PC versions really reach a new audience,” he added.
In recent interviews, Yoshida has also touched upon future developments, including the anticipated PS6, suggesting that a launch in 2028 feels plausible. His reflections underscore a pivotal moment for Sony as it navigates the intersection of console and PC gaming in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
