Summary

• Sony remains unconcerned about losing PS5 users to PC.
• PS5 sales are on par with the PS4, despite the lack of permanent exclusives.
• Sony plans to ramp up its efforts with PlayStation PC ports in the future.

Sony isn't fretting over the possibility of PlayStation 5 users migrating to PC. This sentiment was expressed during a recent discussion about the role of PC within Sony's broader publishing strategy.

Since 2020, Sony has been steadily porting its first-party titles to PC, starting with Horizon Zero Dawn. The company's commitment to this strategy has grown stronger, particularly following the acquisition of Nixxes, a leading PC porting specialist, in 2021.

While porting PlayStation exclusives to PC expands their audience and revenue potential, it theoretically undermines the unique appeal of Sony's hardware. However, Sony remains confident that this won't lead to a significant exodus of PS5 users to PC. A company representative emphasized this during a late 2024 Q&A with investors, stating, "In terms of losing users to PCs, we have neither confirmed that any such trend is underway, nor do we see it as a major risk, so far."

PS5 Sales Remain Steady Despite PC Ports

Sony's stance is backed by the robust sales of the PS5. By November 2024, the console had sold 65.5 million units, closely mirroring the PS4's sales of over 73 million units in its first four years. The slight variance can be attributed more to the PS5's supply constraints during the global health crisis than to the absence of permanent exclusives. With consistent sales across console generations, Sony perceives PC ports as having a negligible effect on the PS5's allure.

The PlayStation maker is poised to not only continue but to intensify its PC porting efforts. In 2024, Sony President Hiroki Totoki announced plans to become more "aggressive" with PlayStation PC ports, aiming to reduce the time between PS5 and Steam releases. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 exemplifies this strategy, slated for a PC release on January 30, just 15 months after its initial launch. This is a marked change from the previous title, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which remained a PlayStation exclusive for over two years.

PC gamers can also anticipate another current PlayStation exclusive, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, set to launch on Steam on January 23. Sony has yet to announce PC versions for several other high-profile PS5 exclusives, including Gran Turismo 7, Rise of the Ronin, Stellar Blade, and the Demon's Souls remake.