The Future of Gaming: Embracing Multiplatform

Looking ahead to early 2024, the gaming industry is buzzing with the concept of “multiplatformism.” Despite recent layoffs across the gaming sector, both Xbox and PlayStation are doubling down on the notion that the future of gaming lies in multiplatform titles to ensure long-term sustainability. While Microsoft has unveiled games like Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Grounded for various platforms, PlayStation is making strides in capturing the PC market.

PlayStation has been gradually releasing its top exclusive titles from PS4 and PS5 to PC approximately a year after their debut on consoles, a strategy that has proven successful in expanding the reach of titles such as Returnal, The Last of Us, Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, and Uncharted. However, this move signals only the beginning of Sony’s plans for the PC market, with much more to come. Unlike Microsoft’s transparency, Sony remains tight-lipped about its future endeavors in this realm.

During Sony’s recent financial report, Chairman Hiroki Totoki emphasized a shift towards developing first-party titles in a multiplatform environment to enhance the company’s financial results. While Xbox aims to attract PlayStation and Nintendo players, Sony’s focus is firmly on the PC market.

These strategic shifts come on the heels of Sony’s staggering announcement of laying off 900 employees, primarily affecting PlayStation studios such as Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, and the closure of London Studio. This echoes Microsoft’s earlier downsizing efforts, where nearly 2,000 individuals were let go from its gaming division in January. Despite stellar game releases and sequels slated for 2023, the gaming industry faced challenging times, underscoring the necessity of venturing into cross-device gaming.

Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, elaborated, stating, “Delivering engaging narrative-driven stories that PlayStation Studios are known for, with high quality, requires a reevaluation of our existing practices. Creating and maintaining social online experiences that allow PlayStation players to explore our worlds in different ways, and extending games to additional devices such as PC and mobile, demands a fresh approach and resources.” This philosophy aligns with Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, who also recognizes the diminishing significance of exclusive titles in the industry.

Sony has already begun implementing a strategy of releasing smaller games with enhanced multiplayer features on PC, exemplified by the success of games like Helldivers 2, which became a hit on Steam within 24 hours of launch, surpassing titles like Destiny 2 and Starfield.

In conclusion, “multiplatformism” emerges as a pivotal strategy to revitalize the gaming industry.

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