Summary
FuturePlayStationco-CEO Herman Hulst recently gave some insight into Sony’s PC ports and the rationale behind choosing which games to send over. While first-party PlayStation games have remained exclusive to their respective consoles in past generations, Sony has started to branch out into the PC market in recent years. It all started with the release ofHorizon Zero Dawnon PC in 2020, although the Kojima Productions-developed PS-exclusiveDeath Strandingtechnically made the jump a month before. Since then,PlayStationfirst-party titles likeDays Gone, 2014’sGod of War, andMarvel’s Spider-Manhave been ported to PC via outlets like Steam.
So far, 2024 has continued this wave of PlayStation PC releases, starting with the launch ofHelldivers 2on both PS5 and PC in February. A month later,Horizon Forbidden Westwould follow its predecessor by being ported to PC two years after its PS5 debut. Just a few days later,The Last of Uslaunched on PC, fresh on the heels of the successful live-action HBO series. Finally, Sucker Punch’s hit 2020 open-world samurai titleGhost of Tsushimawas ported to PC earlier this month, gaining warm reviews and record-breaking player counts on Steam.
Earlier this week,future PlayStation co-CEO Herman Hulstdiscussed his company’s strategy for PC ports during a PlayStation business briefing, with a clip shared on Twitter by Verge editor Tom Warren. Hulst explained that Sony is taking a two-pronged approach in its PC ports, with live-service titles likeHelldivers 2being launched simultaneously on PS5 and PC to draw in players on both platforms. As for PlayStation’s story-focused first-party games, which Hulst described as the “backbone” of the company, he says that they aim to use these ports to draw new players towards the PS5.
Future PlayStation Co-CEO Explains Company’s Two-Pronged PC Strategy
This would explain whyrecent PlayStation PC portstend to be older titles with sequels still exclusive to PS5. For example, PC gamers could try out 2014’sGod of War, then want to get a PS5 to continue Kratos and Atreus’s story inGod of War Ragnarok. Meanwhile,Marvel’s Spider-Man RemasteredandSpider-Man: Miles Moraleswere ported to PC in 2022, a year beforeMarvel’s Spider-Man 2swung onto the PS5. As Hurst stated, the plan seems to be getting PC gamers interested in the first installment of a franchise in hopes that they will buy a PS5 for the follow-up.
Rumors have claimed thatSony would announce PC portsforPlayStationtitles likeDemon’s Souls,God of War Ragnarok,Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, andThe Last of Us Part 2later this year. While these are still just rumors, it is worth pointing out that they correctly predicted theGhost of Tsushimaport, and insiders now believe that aGod of War Ragnarokport could be revealed soon - perhaps during the upcoming PlayStation State of Play livestream.
PS5
Sony’s PlayStation 5 is part of the ninth console generation and debuted with a launch lineup that included Demon’s Souls and Astro’s Playroom. The console comes with a Blu-ray disc, although a digital-only edition is also available for a cheaper price.
