Sony Comments on Risk of Losing PS5 Users to PC

Sony's PC Port Strategy: No PS5 User Loss Concerns

Sony isn't concerned about losing PlayStation 5 (PS5) users to PC gaming, according to a company official. This statement comes amidst a broader discussion of Sony's expanding PC publishing strategy.

Since 2020, Sony has been progressively releasing first-party titles on PC, starting with Horizon Zero Dawn. This initiative accelerated after the 2021 acquisition of Nixxes Software, a renowned PC porting studio.

While releasing PlayStation exclusives on PC broadens reach and revenue, it theoretically weakens the PS5's unique selling proposition. However, a Sony representative recently reassured investors that this isn't a significant risk. The official stated that they haven't observed a user shift to PC and don't currently view it as a major threat.

PS5 Sales Remain Strong Despite PC Ports

This confidence is supported by PS5 sales figures. As of November 2024, 65.5 million PS5 units have been sold, closely mirroring the PS4's sales after its first four years (approximately 73 million). The slight difference is largely attributed to PS5 supply chain issues during the pandemic, rather than competition from PC ports. The sustained sales across generations suggest that PC releases haven't significantly impacted the PS5's appeal.

Sony's commitment to PC ports is not only continuing but intensifying. In 2024, President Hiroki Totoki announced a more "aggressive" approach, aiming to reduce the time lag between PS5 and PC releases. Marvel's Spider-Man 2, launching on PC January 30th, just 15 months after its PS5 debut, exemplifies this strategy. This is a significant reduction compared to the over two-year exclusivity period of Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Beyond Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth arrives on Steam January 23rd. Several other high-profile PS5 exclusives remain unannounced for PC, including Gran Turismo 7, Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade, and the Demon's Souls remake.