In the future, Sony will refrain from bringing single-player titles from PlayStation Studios to the PC. And that despite the fact that the computer generates almost twice as much sales as Microsoft does with the Xbox ports for the PS5, as a new report from Alinea Analytics now shows.
In recent years, Sony began releasing previously PlayStation-exclusive titles like „God of War“, „Horizon Zero Dawn“ or „Marvel’s Spider-Man“ to be released for the PC with a delay. But that’s over now.
After insiders already reported that Sony was PC plans reconsideredHideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Sony’s most recent annual report recently indicated that the prestigious single-player titles from PlayStation Studios will again be reserved for their own consoles in the future.
The reason: The PlayStation games that have so far been released for the PC have not brought in “enough money”. However, new data from analysts at Alinea Analytics now shows that Sony’s PC foray was anything but unsuccessful. Strictly speaking, it was significantly more lucrative than Xbox’s PS5 offensive.
Sony’s PC ports are pulverizing Microsoft’s PS5 offensive
According to the Data from Alinea analyst Rhys Elliott PlayStation has generated an impressive $1.5 billion in gross sales on Steam since the start of its PC offensive in 2020. After deducting the revenue share for Valve, around $1.2 billion remained directly in Sony’s accounts.
A comparison with Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy of the past few months shows how gigantic this sum is, after it started bringing titles like “Sea of Thieves” or “Hi-Fi Rush” to the PS5. All of the PS5 ports released by Xbox so far have brought around $667 million into Microsoft’s coffers after deducting Sony’s 30 percent cut.
This means: Sony makes almost twice as much sales with its PC ports as Xbox on the PS5.
Sony’s success on the PC is primarily driven by „Helldivers 2“which has sold a sensational 12.7 million copies on Steam and is therefore responsible for a third of all PC sales. But single-player classics like “Horizon Zero Dawn” (4.5 million sales) and “God of War” (4.2 million sales) also proved to be real gold mines.
“Helldivers 2” mentioned.
Platform protection from profit
The numbers from Alinea Analytics therefore raise one question in particular: Why is Sony now saying goodbye to future PC releases for single-player games when its rival from Redmond is so clearly demonstrated?
According to analysts, the reason lies in the two gaming giants’ completely different philosophies about how they define the value of their own platform: While Microsoft is pushing Game Pass and continues to see the multiplatform strategy as a necessary source of revenue to make up for weak hardware numbers, for Sony the console remains the centerpiece.
According to the experts, the “brand damage” caused by players no longer buying a PS5 – or in the future PS6 – because they are waiting for the PC port is significantly more serious for Sony than the loss of additional Steam sales. And that’s why Sony is pulling the ripcord despite sales of $1.2 billion – simply because long-term protection of the PlayStation brand is priceless for the Japanese.
Finally, however, it should be emphasized again: Sony’s PC withdrawal only affects the single-player titles from PlayStation Studios. Multiplayer and live service projects will continue to appear for the PC.
It should also not be forgotten that Microsoft, under the leadership of the new Xbox boss Asha Sharma, is also rowing back a bit due to the enormous fan pressure and bringing exclusive games to the Xbox. Started with „Gears of War: E-Day“ and „Clockwork Revolution“ More exclusive titles will follow in the future.
Links to Amazon, Media Markt, Saturn and some other retailers are usually affiliate links. When you make a purchase, we receive a small commission with which we can finance the free-to-use site. You have no disadvantages.
