Former PlayStation Exec: Porting Exclusives to PC Is "Almost Like Printing Money" and Key to China Expansion

Former PlayStation Exec: Porting Exclusives to PC Is "Almost Like Printing Money" and Key to China Expansion

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida has revealed that porting PlayStation-exclusive games to PC is "almost like printing money." In a recent interview with Sacred Symbols+ (via Push Square), Yoshida explained how bringing first-party titles to the PC platform can unlock new revenue streams and help fund future game development.

Reaching a New Audience

Yoshida emphasized that releasing games on PC not only adds significant additional income for Sony but also extends the reach of popular franchises.

"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," he explained.
He added that by exposing new players to these franchises, Sony increases the likelihood that they will eventually invest in a PlayStation when a new installment is released.

Cost-Effective Revenue Boost

According to Yoshida, porting games to PC is far less expensive than developing a completely new title, which makes it a highly attractive revenue strategy.

"It also adds additional income, because porting to PC is way cheaper than creating an original title," he said.
This cost-effective approach, he argued, effectively makes the process “almost like printing money,” providing crucial funds to invest in new projects as game development costs continue to rise.

Expanding Into New Markets

A key benefit of porting PlayStation games to PC is the opportunity to tap into new geographical markets—most notably, China.

"China is a huge PC game market, and China is a growing but very small console market. In order 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," Yoshida noted.

Since 2020, Sony has been steadily porting its acclaimed PlayStation exclusives to PC, starting with Horizon Zero Dawn. More recently, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 launched on PC, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is set to follow in April. Despite some diminishing returns in player numbers on platforms like Steam, the success of titles like Helldivers 2—despite restrictions such as mandatory PSN connectivity—demonstrates the strategy’s potential.

Future Plans and Live Service Insights

In addition to discussing the financial benefits of PC porting, Yoshida touched on Sony's live service strategy. He revealed that he had played Naughty Dog's ill-fated The Last of Us Online, describing it as "great," which hints at potential future improvements and integrations in Sony's online offerings.

Yoshida's insights underscore a strategic shift for Sony: by leveraging the lower cost and broader reach of PC gaming, the company can secure a steady revenue boost and expand its market presence—particularly in regions like China, where console gaming remains limited.

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