Shuhei Yoshida, a former PlayStation executive, discussed the financial benefits of porting PlayStation-exclusive titles to PC, describing it as "almost like printing money." He expressed a desire to transition first-party games to PC earlier but noted that the previous business model did not support this vision. Porting games allows Sony to reach a broader audience, particularly in regions with low console ownership, and is cost-effective compared to creating original titles. Yoshida emphasized the importance of tapping into emerging markets like China, where the PC gaming landscape is strong. Since 2020, Sony has gradually transitioned its exclusive titles to PC, with recent releases including Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. The release of Helldivers 2 was noted as a significant success for Sony. Yoshida also mentioned future plans for live service games, including insights on Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Online.
Console manufacturers have historically neglected the PC platform as a revenue source. Microsoft has shifted its strategy by releasing games on PC and PlayStation, while Sony has begun to release more PS4 and PS5 titles on Steam, including the successful simultaneous launch of Helldivers 2 on both PS5 and PC. Shuhei Yoshida, a former Sony executive, indicated that he had envisioned bringing Sony games to PC earlier but faced resistance within the company. He noted that releasing games on PC could attract players to buy PlayStations in the future and highlighted the financial benefits of porting games to PC, which is cheaper than creating new titles. Yoshida also emphasized the importance of the Chinese PC gaming market, citing the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. He speculated on the absence of Bloodborne on PC and expressed that he would have resisted Sony's shift towards live-service games if possible.
PC gaming has a vast library, but exclusivity still attracts gamers. Several acclaimed games remain unavailable on PC due to various reasons.
1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - High odds of being released; originally a PlayStation title, known for its exploration and iconic protagonist.
2. God Hand - Practically none; a 2006 PlayStation 2 exclusive with a unique combat system.
3. Mega Man Legends & Legends 2 - Basically zero; dormant series with a passionate fanbase but poor sales.
4. Silent Hill - Possible, but unlikely; a hallmark of survival horror with no modern platform release yet.
5. Pokémon Conquest - Absolutely not; a Nintendo DS exclusive with ties to Nobunaga's Ambition.
6. The Last Guardian - Not likely, but a chance exists; known for its emotional narrative and visuals.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo doesn’t have to; successful on the Switch, likely to remain exclusive.
8. Super Mario Party Jamboree - Less than zero; relies on motion controls, making a PC adaptation unlikely.
9. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Higher than you might think, but not great; technical challenges hinder potential releases.
10. Bloodborne - Definitely coming soon (maybe, probably not though); ongoing rumors about a potential PC release.
Nearly 45% of gamers on Steam continue to use Windows 10, according to a hardware survey conducted by Valve in January 2025, which shows that 44.41% of users rely on this operating system. In contrast, Windows 11 has captured 55.38% of the user base on the platform.
A selection of 12 free games available for PC and handheld users includes:
1. A Cat’s Way Home - A simulation game focused on building relationships with cats.
2. Farm Wars - A real-time PvP strategy game involving crop planting and animal transformation for sabotage.
3. Starling - A game where players build a base using local resources as a Starling Corp employee.
4. A Very Merry Nightmare - A 3D first-person adventure set in a twisted Christmas world, evading an AI enemy.
5. Little Robot - A 15-minute exploration game featuring a melancholic robot in a backyard.
6. Cedric & Odious - A 2D hack-and-slash adventure in a dark fantasy realm.
7. Paw Pirates - A multiplayer game focused on chaotic battles between pirate ships.
8. Realm Traveler - An RPG-style game where players choose a class and embark on quests.
9. Strange New Tides - A 2.5D sandbox experience in Saltbay Cove, involving relationship building and home construction.
10. Templar - A 2D hack-and-slash game where players battle demons as the last Templar knight.
11. Popo & Rob - A fast-paced first-person shooter with team-based matches.
12. The Machine Arena - A game featuring dynamic 4v4 PvP battles or solo PvE matches with short gameplay sessions.
Additionally, Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti GPU launches today, with listings available from major retailers.
Sony has eliminated the mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) sign-in requirement for accessing PlayStation games on PC, but many titles remain inaccessible in various regions. The game Lost Soul Aside is blocked in 130 countries that lack official PSN support, preventing players in those regions from accessing it. Previously released PlayStation games are also unavailable in these areas, leaving gamers in countries like the Philippines and Vietnam unable to view the store page on Steam. This situation raises concerns for fans of Stellar Blade regarding potential access to the game if it is released on PC.
On February 18, DON'T NOD launched its interactive drama, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series platforms. The game is compromised and available on torrent sites. It is set in the summer of 1995 and involves confronting dark secrets twenty-seven years later. The game is divided into two parts, with the first half currently available and the second part scheduled for release on April 15 as a free patch.
Avowed is designed strictly as a single-player title and does not support multiplayer functionality. Obsidian Entertainment, the developer, confirmed that initial plans for a co-op feature were scrapped to focus on refining the RPG systems for a cohesive single-player experience. While there is a possibility that modders could create an unofficial co-op function in the future, Obsidian has not indicated any plans to introduce co-op features. Avowed is available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC through various platforms, and it is priced at .99, with a promotional deal bringing the price down to .89 at CDKeys.
The first Steam Next Fest of 2025 will take place from February 24 at 10 AM PST / 6 PM GMT to March 3 at 10 AM PST / 6 PM GMT. This event will occur three times throughout 2025, with the other dates being June 9 - June 16 and October 13 - October 20. During Steam Next Fest, players can download free demos of upcoming games and engage with developer live streams. A free Steam account is required to participate. While the event is not a sale, it often coincides with discounts on various titles, with the next major Steam sale starting on March 13, 2025.
