In a recent conversation with Sacred Symbols+, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida shared insights into the strategic shift of porting PlayStation-exclusive titles to PC. He described this move as “almost like printing money,” highlighting the financial benefits and opportunities it creates for further investments in game development.
Expanding Horizons
Yoshida expressed a desire to transition first-party games to PC much earlier, noting that the business model at the time did not align with this vision. He emphasized the advantages of reaching a broader audience, particularly in regions where console ownership is less prevalent. “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,” he explained. This strategy aims to cultivate new fans for existing franchises, potentially converting them into PlayStation console buyers when new titles are launched.
Beyond audience expansion, Yoshida pointed out the cost-effectiveness of porting games to PC. “It also adds additional income, because porting to PC is way cheaper than creating an original title,” he noted. This financial influx allows Sony to reinvest in new projects, especially as the costs associated with game development continue to rise.
Capitalizing on Global Markets
Yoshida also highlighted the significance of tapping into emerging markets, particularly China, where the PC gaming landscape is robust. “China is a huge PC game market,” he remarked, contrasting it with the relatively small console market. “In order to reach the audience in countries like China, then it’s crucial to release on PC. So, I believe PC versions really reach a new audience.”
Since the launch of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2020, Sony has been gradually transitioning its exclusive titles to the PC platform. The recent release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC, along with the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered set for April, exemplifies this ongoing strategy. While there have been fluctuations in player numbers on platforms like Steam, the release of Helldivers 2 marked a significant success for Sony, becoming the fastest-selling game in the PlayStation lineup, despite some limitations imposed by requiring a PlayStation Network account for gameplay.
In addition to discussing game ports, Yoshida touched upon Sony’s future plans for live service games, sharing his experience with Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Online, which he described as “great.” This insight into both past successes and future endeavors paints a picture of a company keen on evolving its approach to meet the demands of a changing gaming landscape.
