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[Jigsaah]

This has always been a serious strawman and mischaracterization of the problem.

For one, it literally, indisputably devalues the *game* console if previously exclusive *games* are no longer exclusive. It's just that simple.

Second, this "well why can't everyone play" kumbaya nonsense has always been a shell game. Most households that possess either current gen console and buying any significant number of games per year are not strapped for cash such that the cannot afford to indulge in more than one platform. Certainly the PCMR with it's 1.5-2k+ rigs (and in order to run most AAAs these days, you're going to want a significantly better than mid-tier rig) and excessively large libraries aren't hurting that they couldn't buy a PS5. I'm not convinced gaming was ever an actually accessible hobby to lower income households, but if it was for a brief window in the 2000s, it definitely isn't now.

Thirdly and most important is that they won't just "keep making the games". Not to the quality that's been delivered before or even at the same pace (one of the reasons Wolverine is taking forever). It was all well and good when they were back porting shit that was actually built with the PS4 exclusively in mind, but almost as soon as this initiative to prep for easier/quicker porting, we got more technical problems in each major first party sequel than we've had from PS since basically the PS3. Days Gone is literally the only example of an outright shoddy first party release prior to that.


Incorrect. Whatever the quality of their exclusives, it's actually because of their exclusivity. There are games that literally wouldn't exist if not for the incentive structure behind exclusivity. But for a more direct one-one comparison of "well what would happen if the game wasn't exclusive when it was being made", the entire history of Spider-Man and really Marvel/IP licensed games in general provides a large body of evidence.

That we have to go through all of this again when we also have Microsoft and Sega as examples is a joke.

Hey, PCMR here. While your statements are true and I definitely can afford a PS5...we also spend that kinda money on PC's because it's more than just a game machine. There's just much more value in a PC than there is in a console, as long as you can deal with less plug n play and like to tinker...which I do. I think I speak for most of us on PC when I say exclusives are inherently bad for the industry from our perspective. They are good for selling consoles, but ultimately that's not where the money is made. They are good for instilling a sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself, to fulfill some tribal/territorial instinct, but there are many ways to achieve this same sentiment. You'll never here about a PCMR gamer complaining about a PC game making it's way to console. The sentiment is always "good for the players, good for the devs".

So in essence, losing exclusives only devalues the console if you're the only one doing it. Once all the companies in competition with one another are playing the same game as 3rd party publlishers, it's all about the platform now. What do the players do when this happens...go to Nintendo because at least there they can have their precious exclusives? No. They stay with Playstation's platform, or with Xbox's platform and the companies will need to find other ways to foster loyalty to their platform. With PC, there's some tribalism with what companies you use to build your PC with. Typically NVIDIA vs. AMD, but it's no where near as deep as it is on console.

 

[SlimySnake]

You reap what you sow. When i called out this would happen 5 years ago, they called me chicken little. Now they are freaking out when its too late. You shouldve made a big deal out of this back then and maybe they change course. now the cat is out of the bag. Hope all you guys liked sucking up to your favorite execs for the past five years while shitting on real fans who knew how damaging this was going to be.

 

[yogaflame]

The power of consumer and fans voice

 

[Bojanglez]

I think it's more the fact that a successful PlayStation means a quality platform with good games both exclusive and non exclusive. Always has been this way since PS1.

People don't want the brand destroyed because management is too stupid not to follow in the footsteps of Microsoft.

It's not stopping games coming to PlayStation and it's not stopping PlayStation being the best place to play games (for people that like the console experience)

I think the fact that SIE decoupled software from hardware a couple of years ago means they both have to compete on their own terms. No more subsidies for hardware sales and reliance on exclusives (maybe). The fact that we are getting so many new hardware products is the early signs of this.

If all works out, Playstation will have the best games that work best on the best console, maybe worth timed exclusivity.

But if you look at Sony as a wider entertainment business, they've always looked at secondary markets for their products. Imagine just releasing a movie at the cinema and not then getting additional revenue from Blu Ray and streaming platforms. I think that this may be their thinking, they will see PC and other consoles as those secondary markets for people that were never going to buy a playstation.

I personally think keeping a few select games as true exclusives strategically would be smart.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Why wouldn't you email them about refunds or paid cloud saves? Helldivers on Xbox is your line in the sand?

 

[StreetsofBeige]

It's not stopping games coming to PlayStation and it's not stopping PlayStation being the best place to play games (for people that like the console experience)

I think the fact that SIE decoupled software from hardware a couple of years ago means they both have to compete on their own terms. No more subsidies for hardware sales and reliance on exclusives (maybe). The fact that we are getting so many new hardware products is the early signs of this.

If all works out, Playstation will have the best games that work best on the best console, maybe worth timed exclusivity.

But if you look at Sony as a wider entertainment business, they've always looked at secondary markets for their products. Imagine just releasing a movie at the cinema and not then getting additional revenue from Blu Ray and streaming platforms. I think that this may be their thinking, they will see PC and other consoles as those secondary markets for people that were never going to buy a playstation.

I personally think keeping a few select games as true exclusives strategically would be smart.

Exactly.

PC and Android users can use Apple apps. I don't see Apple saying….. oh shit if we let competing platform users access Apple TV and Music a ton of Apple hardware users will bail ship for a PC and Samsung smartphones. And then Mac and IPhone sales drop like a rock.

Apple hardware keeps going up in sales. They got a loyal fan of users who know to expect. And they skim as much sales from non-Apple hardware supporters with software knowing not every customer is a brand flip flopper.

If exclusive content is so powerful, Apple would lock it all under Apple devices, and they max out sales as shitloads of PC/Android users would dump their system and buy Macs and iPhones.

 

[Gaiff]

You reap what you sow. When i called out this would happen 5 years ago, they called me chicken little. Now they are freaking out when its too late. You shouldve made a big deal out of this back then and maybe they change course. now the cat is out of the bag. Hope all you guys liked sucking up to your favorite execs for the past five years while shitting on real fans who knew how damaging this was going to be.

Can we ban this guy and get Rofif back?

 

[BennyBlanco]

You reap what you sow. When i called out this would happen 5 years ago, they called me chicken little. Now they are freaking out when its too late. You shouldve made a big deal out of this back then and maybe they change course. now the cat is out of the bag. Hope all you guys liked sucking up to your favorite execs for the past five years while shitting on real fans who knew how damaging this was going to be.

Yea. Whatever will they do? It's too late now!

PlayStation full-year operating income jumps 43% to $2.8bn

Sony has published its financial results for its full fiscal year, reporting a major 43% boost in operating income for …

www.gamesindustry.biz

 

[poppabk]

Exactly.

PC and Android users can use Apple apps. I don't see Apple saying….. oh shit if we let competing platform users access Apple TV and Music a ton of Apple hardware users will bail ship for a PC and Samsung smartphones. And then Mac and IPhone sales drop like a rock.

Apple hardware keeps going up in sales. They got a loyal fan of users who know to expect. And they skim as much sales from non-Apple hardware supporters with software knowing not every customer is a brand flip flopper.

Apple has mainly gone the route of - we'll make it for other platforms but we won't do as good a job.

 

[FalconPunch]

Sony is flopping hard when it comes to delivering their usually quality of banger games this gen. As someone who bought the ps5 and multiple pros, this has been by far the worst gen ever for Sony. It's not even close. So much so that I let my PS Plus lapse since I initially subscribed to the program in 2013.

Part of this frustration is that they're eliminating the need to own a Playstation and are making the exact mistake Microsoft made. This gen, I've found myself asking the question, why must one own a playstation. As it stands, you pay for ps plus each year, sony gets a 30% cut of the software you purchase and 100% of the cut when you purchase a Sony game. In the past, the answer to this question was exclusive software/experiences that was available nowhere else. Today, the answer is not remotely clear.

As someone who is heavily invested in the playstation ecosystem, I've slowly began to divest. I buy more games on steam now because my library is device agnostic. I can play on my gaming pc, gaming laptop, steam deck, etc. I don't pay to play online and games are cheaper sometimes.

Sony really needs to tread carefully here because in my case, the only revenue they get from me now is when I buy their games. Their decisions have cut off a decent amount of revenue that they were siphoning from my wallet. Nintendo is not stupid and understand this... Sony on the other hand is chasing a losing strategy. They don't have an OS everyone uses unlike Microsoft. I can understand why some of the most ardent fans are upset. The way Sony is moving now doesn't appear to be aligned with what their core fanbase wants... You can only look at what happened to Xbox to see what happens when you think you've outgrown your core fans.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Yea. Whatever will they do? It's too late now!

PlayStation full-year operating income jumps 43% to $2.8bn

Sony has published its financial results for its full fiscal year, reporting a major 43% boost in operating income for …

www.gamesindustry.biz

Its still the best place to play console games, its not like these people sending these emails will have their PS5s shut down because an old game hits a different platform

Its silly

 

[Embearded]

Because there are groups of people on every platform that enjoy games that is only on their platform and they know no one else gets to play

I would imagine they are mostly children in either age or mentality but they exist none the less

The only reason i'd like them to keep the single player games as exclusives, is to have their first party studios focused only on the console i have and not "waste time" to develop for the competing platform.

If they handle it like the did with Nixxes and PC, i'd have no problem.
I.e, have Sucker Punch develop only for PS5 and Pro, and let someone else bring it on Switch 2 or Xbox.

 

[Bojanglez]

Exactly.

PC and Android users can use Apple apps. I don't see Apple saying….. oh shit if we let competing platform users access Apple TV and Music a ton of Apple hardware users will bail ship for a PC and Samsung smartphones. And then Mac and IPhone sales drop like a rock.

Apple hardware keeps going up in sales. They got a loyal fan of users who know to expect. And they skim as much sales from non-Apple hardware supporters with software knowing not every customer is a brand flip flopper.

If exclusive content is so powerful, Apple would lock it all under Apple devices, and they max out sales as shitloads of PC/Android users would dump their system and buy Macs and iPhones.

Yeah they keep iMessage and Facetime exclusive to differentiate their products but then allow entertainment services (often in a gimped fashion) be accessible elsewhere.

Some of this from Sony is probably so they can appease regulators too, so they specifically looking like they are playing nicely across platforms.

 

[bitbydeath]

Why wouldn't you email them about refunds or paid cloud saves? Helldivers on Xbox is your line in the sand?

Cloud saves is such an overrated feature, you only need it once a gen at most, when you upgrade to the next generation and even then it can be done over wifi. So pointless.

 

[Kacho]

Why wouldn't you email them about refunds or paid cloud saves? Helldivers on Xbox is your line in the sand?

Can you imagine some Karen Walmart shopper emailing Pepsi Co because they wanted to sell Gatorade at Target?

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Its still the best place to play console games, its not like these people sending these emails will have their PS5s shut down because an old game hits a different platform

Its silly

It is silly.

But humans have hearts and emotions.

If you see a walled garden supporter crying and freaking out, what do you do?

Let him cry his anger, or say he's right to make him feel better?

It's like Psychology 100 class I had to take in year one business program. The psych prof even said when it comes to virtues one isn't always better than the other. It's like if there's an ugly person, are you honest and say he's a dirtbag. Or do you use compassion and say he looks good? Lolo

 

[BennyBlanco]

Cloud saves is such an overrated feature, you only need it once a gen at most, when you upgrade to the next generation and even then it can be done over wifi. So pointless.

Yeah, you're right. Fuck cloud saves. And fuck refunds too. Who needs em? I like to commit to what I'm buying.

 

[bitbydeath]

Yeah, you're right. Fuck cloud saves. And fuck refunds too. Who needs em? I like to commit to what I'm buying.

When was the last time you actually did something with a cloud save? Have you ever?

 

[BennyBlanco]

When was the last time you actually did something with a cloud save? Have you ever?

I use cloud saves every single day. Play game on Steam Deck, continue on desktop later.

 

[bitbydeath]

I use cloud saves every single day. Play game on Steam Deck, continue on desktop later.

How bout on a console where that feature doesn't exist?

It really is a pointless feature for consoles.

 

[poppabk]

Cloud saves is such an overrated feature, you only need it once a gen at most, when you upgrade to the next generation and even then it can be done over wifi. So pointless.

Assuming you don't have a hardware failure, or multiple devices that you play on. And I mean a decade worth of saves - no big loss if they get corrupted.

 

[BennyBlanco]

How bout on a console where that feature doesn't exist?

It really is a pointless feature for consoles.

Well if you have more than 1 console it's not pointless, and Sony is about to release a handheld as well.

 

[MikeM]

Imagine trying to appeal to Sony because people want to enjoy their games at higher frames and higher settings than on console.

Why leave games to boxes that limit settings? Sony's strategy is perfect right now in waiting a year or so prior to launching SP games on PC.

 

[Calverz]

 

[Punished Miku]

How bout on a console where that feature doesn't exist?

It really is a pointless feature for consoles.

I have an Xbox upstairs, and an Xbox downstairs. I just play anywhere I feel like and it works. Would be the same for PC or a handheld.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Could saved are great.

Had old Skyrim saves from Xbox one days. Continued playing on One X and then Series X when it got boosted to 60 fps.

It's such a simple feature that should cost any game maker pennies to maintain.

It's no different than any email service giving you gigantic storage space you can use on any device.

 

[Calverz]

Cloud saves is such an overrated feature, you only need it once a gen at most, when you upgrade to the next generation and even then it can be done over wifi. So pointless.

Imagine a feature, where you bought a game once, then you could play this game on multiple devices. A console, a handheld on the move, or a high spec pc in the office. Cloud saves are important to allow you to do this seamlessly.

 

[bitbydeath]

Assuming you don't have a hardware failure, or multiple devices that you play on. And I mean a decade worth of saves - no big loss if they get corrupted.

Hardware failures are extremely rare. I can count on 0 hands the number that has occurred, and typically when a new gen arrives you don't go back to old games outside of the first 6-12 months while waiting for new ones.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

If it was just Sony porting to MS/Switch/PC then yea this would be my worry. Since everyone is doing it there's nothing to worry about because no one has any reason to leave their ecosystem now.

Besides the ecosystem being a fraction of the price on PC

And mods

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

How bout on a console where that feature doesn't exist?

It really is a pointless feature for consoles.

When the PS6 handheld launches cloud saves will be great all of a sudden

 

[bitbydeath]

Well if you have more than 1 console it's not pointless, and Sony is about to release a handheld as well.

I have more than one console but they each have different accounts. You can't play on them at the same time otherwise.

 

[adamsapple]

He's having a bit of a meltdown right now

"You're not a real fan boohoo"

 

[bitbydeath]

Imagine a feature, where you bought a game once, then you could play this game on multiple devices. A console, a handheld on the move, or a high spec pc in the office. Cloud saves are important to allow you to do this seamlessly.

We're talking PlayStation here, moving to a PC isn't possible and sharing over other consoles is pointless.

 

[bitbydeath]

When the PS6 handheld launches cloud saves will be great all of a sudden

Maybe then it could have its first use case.

 

[Calverz]

We're talking PlayStation here, moving to a PC isn't possible and sharing over other consoles is pointless.

Aye at the moment. But this is likely going to change going forward. We already know Sony have been working on a pc launcher etc. Cloud saves are going to be a critical part of any ecosystem.

 

[Fabieter]

Most of these interactions boil down to

"If you release games on other platforms there's no point in owning a Ps5 anymore!"
"Ok, so switch over to PC or Xbox"
"I don't want to"

People switching from ps to pc is nothing new.

Iam really interested what's their selling point going forward if they kill physical and affordability of consoles going forward as well. Only weird people stay on a brand because they used to own it.

 

[bitbydeath]

Aye at the moment. But this is likely going to change going forward. We already know Sony have been working on a pc launcher etc. Cloud saves are going to be a critical part of any ecosystem.

Yeah, I was just referring to current PlayStation.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

He's having a bit of a meltdown right now

"You're not a real fan boohoo"

That guy is a real piece of work. Has he done any more anti-Gaf threads lately?

On a positive note, I'll probably get Helldivers 2 splitting with a buddy home sharing.

So for all you Sony supporters what you lose in exclusivity you should still be happy as a clam since sales are another big priority. Sony will be getting 70% of the money. MS only 30%. So sales winning bravado right there.

 

[bender]

1. If it devalues the console or brand so much then Sony execs wouldnt do it. Are you saying gamers know how to run Sony's gaming division (which is at record sales and profits) better than them? If anything Sony loves it. Not only are more ports coming, but they always brag how much PC sales are increasing.

I'd argue neither camp has enough data to determine the long term ramifications of Sony's multi-platform strategy, but it's a much more dangerous game for the PlayStation brand than it is for armchair analysists. In general, incentivizing anyone to other storefronts/brands is foolish as the grass may indeed be greener on the other side of the fence.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Fuck Game Pass btw.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

From the outside looking in - it seems weird. Why would you want to have to own multiple consoles to be able to play all the games you are interested in?

Because that's what I been doing,am a collector and not having exclusives not only loses a brands identity but no competition is unhealthy for the industry.

I said it childish to get more enjoyment out of a game because other platforms can't play it

If you enjoy buying multiple platforms to be able to play all games that is different and what people are forced to do to play everything

Ahh

Market has changed. Gaming is too big to ignore and games too expensive for shareholders to not demand every single possible cent of revenue from any source.

Ok Phil Spencer

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Lol talk about cult behaviour, ponies are super fragile.should rename it to cultstation.

Imagine writing to a company to beg for that.

Imagine going to a game event to break Playstation consoles triggered by a game that slightly resembles another one that doesnt innovate shit.

1. If it devalues the console or brand so much then Sony execs wouldnt do it. Are you saying gamers know how to run Sony's gaming division (which is at record sales and profits) better than them?

Come on man, authority fallacies are wrong even for scientists, let alone dumb execs. And yes, they are fucking dumb.

Exclusivity makes a brand stronger, you don't need a MBA to know this. Going multi has short term marginal profits but it's damaging in the long run. The brand is perceived as less valuable and prices go down eventually. Also, quality is not the ultimate goal anymore, which makes games worse and the brand even less valuable. It's a downward spiral.

Execs want their bonus NOW. They dont care about anything else.

If Nintendo went multiplatform, the brand would be destroyed in less than 10 years.

 

[Punished Miku]

Imagine being a physical games collector locked to PS right now. I'd be fucking terrified.

 

[SNG32]

Messaging Sony this is Incel no pussy getting little dick energy.

 

[gerth666]

Good lord, it's daft behaviour like this that makes me hide gaming as a hobby from people.
It's because of these losers I've got to hide my vast playstation collection when I manage to lure a bit of clunge to my house.

 

[Boss Mog]

I can't believe there are people so pathetic that they have time to waste whining at Sony about this.

 

[Topher]

You reap what you sow. When i called out this would happen 5 years ago, they called me chicken little. Now they are freaking out when its too late. You shouldve made a big deal out of this back then and maybe they change course. now the cat is out of the bag. Hope all you guys liked sucking up to your favorite execs for the past five years while shitting on real fans who knew how damaging this was going to be.

What was happening five years ago that was pointing to a multiplatform strategy coming down the pike?

 

[LakeOf9]

What was happening five years ago that was pointing to a multiplatform strategy coming down the pike?

Horizon: Zero Dawn's PC port had been announced and just released

 

[SlimySnake]

What was happening five years ago that was pointing to a multiplatform strategy coming down the pike?

Horizon got ported to PC, and people kept telling me it was just one game.

 

[playbignbox]

The only solution would have been to boycott the PS5.

Since the console continued to sell even after the ports, there's nothing to be done now.

Enjoy your SegaStation 5, loyal Sony fans.