PlayStation’s PC Ports Generate “Additional Income” and Reach New Audiences, Says Shuhei Yoshida
Sony’s PC efforts over the past few years have yielded mixed results. While the company has flourished with games like Helldivers 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, andGhost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, there have been some underwhelming launches. Nevertheless, former SIE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida, who left the company last month, says the benefits are too good to pass up.
Speaking on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast (transcription via Eurogamer), Yoshida said, “Releasing on PC does many things: it reaches a new audience who do not own consoles – especially in regions where consoles are not as popular. The idea is that those people may become fans of a particular franchise, and when a new game in that series comes out, they may be convinced to purchase a PlayStation.”
They also provide “additional income” since porting an existing title to PC is “way cheaper than creating an original title,” he said. “So, it’s almost like printing money. And that helps us to invest in new titles now that the cost of games has increased.” It’s all the more important considering how much budgets have ballooned for PlayStation Studios, as seen with Horizon Forbidden West, The Last of Us Part 2 and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
Yoshida also noted how this allows PlayStation titles to reach markets like China, which are PC games-focused. “China is a huge PC game market. And China is a growing but very small console market. To reach the audience in countries like China, it’s crucial to release on PC. So, I believe PC versions really reach a new audience.”
Sony’s next PlayStation port for PC is The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, launching on April 3rd. It’s an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed PS4 title, which was released in 2024 for PS5. It includes the base game, new modes like the roguelike No Return and Speedrun, Guitar Free Play, three Lost Levels, and audio commentary for cutscenes. Check out our review of the PS5 version here.
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