Do You Need a Console After All? What We Know About PlayStation’s Return to Traditional Exclusives

Over the past several years, the gaming industry has undergone a fundamental shift: Microsoft and Sony began actively releasing their AAA blockbusters on PC. For a long time, both companies viewed only each other’s consoles as direct competitors, while computers became an additional source of revenue. Naturally, PC players benefited from this situation — to the point where it was even possible to question whether a PS5 or Xbox Series X was necessary if you already owned at least a mid-range PC build. However, the situation may soon start moving in the opposite direction. According to recent rumors, the era of exclusives could be returning. Here’s what is known so far.

The first reports that Sony had decided to significantly scale back the release of its games on PC appeared late last year and came from insider Jez Corden. During a podcast discussing the announcement of Steam Machine, Corden said the following:

The internet reacted to this news with mixed feelings, and many people questioned its credibility, given that leaks from Jez Corden have not always proven accurate. However, everything mentioned above was recently confirmed by journalist Jason Schreier. If you have been following the gaming industry for a long time, you probably know that when Schreier shares insider information, it can be considered practically confirmed — he rarely gets things wrong.

In an article for Bloomberg, Jason Schreier described Sony’s new approach to exclusives:

In a comment on the ResetEra forum, Schreier also specifically emphasized that players should not expect a PC version of Marvel's Wolverine.

Not that Jason Schreier’s reports require additional confirmation, but it is worth noting that another well-known insider, NateTheHate, also repeated the claim that PlayStation is significantly reducing the number of PC releases.

At this stage, it remains largely a matter of speculation why the company decided to return to traditional exclusives. However, there are several possible explanations.

Jason Schreier believes one of the reasons could be the relatively weak sales of several recent PlayStation titles on PC. In addition, according to his sources, there is a group within the company that believes releasing games on PC could dilute the value of the PlayStation brand and negatively affect sales of the PS5 console itself, as well as future generations of PlayStation hardware.

On PC, Sony’s blockbusters do indeed deliver relatively modest results. According to the company’s financial reports, PC versions of its games generated about $650 million in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, while the PlayStation Store earned nearly $16.5 billion. In other words, PC ports accounted for only about three percent of the PlayStation Store’s total revenue.

Newzoo’s analytics indicate that the relatively small PC audience share for PlayStation ports is primarily explained by delayed releases. Sony typically launches PC versions several years after the PS5 version, when most of the demand has already been satisfied on console. As a result, PC players account for only about 13% of the audience during the first three months after release, whereas simultaneous launches on PC and consoles push that figure to roughly 44%.

The trend is also visible in specific games. Early ports such as Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War attracted between 14% and 22% of their players on PC. Later releases — including Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, God of War: Ragnarok, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 — show significantly lower numbers, typically around 5% to 8%. Analysts believe this is not due to a lack of interest among PC players, but rather a consequence of the delayed-port strategy itself.

Why not simply release PC versions simultaneously with PS5 versions to maximize profits? Apparently, the goal was different — not necessarily to earn more money, but to expand the PlayStation 5 audience by attracting some PC players to the console ecosystem. The logic is straightforward: if you want to play the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima earlier, you have to buy the console. However, this strategy does not appear to be working as intended. As a result, PC ports bring Sony relatively little revenue while also failing to noticeably expand the PS5 user base. That may be why the company is beginning to lose interest in them.

Sony’s decision to return to traditional exclusives may also have been influenced by reports that the next generation of Xbox will essentially function as a PC with support for third-party storefronts such as Steam. This would mean it could run PlayStation games that are available on PC. In addition, Valve will release its own console-like device this year — the Steam Machine. Against this backdrop, Sony’s leadership may see little reason to support competing platforms with its biggest hits.

Over the past few weeks, Microsoft Gaming has undergone a major leadership reshuffle. The most significant change was the departure of long-time Xbox head Phil Spencer, who held the position for more than ten years. He has been replaced by former Microsoft AI division executive Asha Sharma, who has become the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming. At the same time, Xbox president Sarah Bond, previously responsible for platform strategy and partnerships, has also left the company. Meanwhile, Matt Booty, head of publishing, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer, overseeing the company’s game studios and production.

Interestingly, shortly after Sharma’s appointment, she gave an interview where she was asked about Xbox exclusives and whether the company might return to them in the future. Sharma admitted that she is still in the process of studying the company’s strategy. According to her, it is necessary to understand why past decisions were made, what goals were set, and what the current data reveals about the Xbox strategy. She emphasized that she intends to focus on long-term value rather than short-term results.

In reality, a return to Xbox exclusives seems unlikely. However, given recent developments, such a dramatic shift cannot be ruled out entirely. Sharma also explicitly stated that Xbox hardware remains a priority for her and that she wants to reconnect the brand with its roots.

A rather unusual situation is taking shape. Exclusives, which in recent years were often seen as a relic of the past, are suddenly becoming an important factor when choosing a gaming platform again. At least when it comes to Sony’s games — and, of course, Nintendo’s projects, since Nintendo has always remained committed to true exclusives and built a successful business model around them.

The need to spend money on additional devices just to play certain games is unlikely to make anyone happy, especially as electronics prices continue to rise. However, it is important to remember that exclusives are one of the core pillars of the console business, so the companies’ position is understandable if they truly see little return from a multiplatform strategy.

What do you think? Are you disappointed by Sony’s sudden change of course? Share your thoughts in the comments.