Sony's policy toward PC has shifted noticeably over the last few years. The publisher has gradually been bringing more of its exclusive titles to PC, and more recently, launching games likeconcurrency on PC and PS5. Now, the company's soon-to-be co-CEO Hermen Hulst has outlined the whys and wherefores of its current strategy, and how we can expect them to approach releases in the future.
Speaking at this year's Sony Business Briefing, Hulst explained that Sony has a"dual approach" to game releases."On the live-service side, we're releasing our titles simultaneously, so day-and-date on PS5 and PC," he explained. But with the publisher's"tentpole titles" Hulst says they take a more"strategic approach, and we introduce our great franchises to new audiences".
In short, Sony hopes that if you really dug, say, God of War on PC, then you'll be more inclined to invest in a PlayStation 5 to play God of War: Ragnarok while it's exclusive to the platform. There is a logic to this, but I do think Hulst underestimates how patient and determined PC gamers can be. There's a whole contingent of PC gamers who will refuse to buy games on the, waiting months or even years until those games release on Steam.
Admittedly, we don't know exactly how many people feel that way. It could just be a handful. But we do know the PC gaming community can move its weight around when it wants to. Less than a month ago, PC gamers collectively switched Helldivers 2's review rating on Steam to"Overwhelmingly Negative", after Sonyof reviews to thumbs down, and they did it in a matter of days.