This week in the gaming media marked a significant change in the PC Master Race vs. Console War. Guerrilla Games, the folks behind the Killzone series, made a bold announcement that tipped the scale. Horizon: Zero Dawn, their critically acclaimed RPG, will come out soon on PC. For the first time ever, a first-party Playstation Exclusive will be available for PC users.
But the real question here is, will this be a one-time thing, or does it lead to future scenarios where there will be more examples such as this one? Which games could break the boundary, and which will stick to their roots, regardless of change. Well, we’re here to dive in and take a look.
The Cracks Begin To Show
When it comes to PlayStation Exclusives, they have been around way back before the reign of the PS4 and PS3. However, with new technological improvements, games were treated pleasantly via remasters and remakes. One of the first remakes done right, that was an exclusive, wasn’t even on the PlayStation, but rather on a Nintendo console.
Resident Evil Remake was released in 2002 on the GameCube as a Nintendo Exclusive and remained as such up until 2015, when it was once again re-released, aka remastered. This formula followed up, with one of the most recent examples being the Yakuza series. A franchise that started on the PS2 was subsequently remastered as Yakuza Kiwami. Released in 2019 on the PC, it will soon garner an Xbox One release in 2020.
On top of that, players eager to try out PlayStation titles on their personal computers got their chance via PlayStation Now. For a monthly subscription of $9.99, PC gamers got a chance to play all PS4 games without owning the console. All you needed was a DualShock 4 controller and a PlayStation Network Account, and you’re good to go. While it didn’t perform exactly like its console counterpart, all games were playable without any downgrade in quality.
Not to mention that the rise of emulators and ISO’s enabled everybody with a decent computer to access older games, previously only playable on the PS1 or PS2. It is because of these factors that the non-PS players react positively to non-console exclusion.
A Bold Move for PlayStation
So who is likely to crack first? Well, obviously Guerilla Games. Horizon: Zero Dawn was already confirmed to be coming out on PC and will be the breaking point in the console exclusivity war. However, the developers are also known for Killzone, their FPS franchise. Much like Halo’s Xbox transition to PC, with the Master Chief Collection, Killzone can strike on its own. After all, first-person shooters are more suited for a mouse and keyboard. With high-grade marketing, Guerilla Games would highly profit from their titles, which bring me to my next point.
Most developers aren’t in it for the money, but nobody can deny that such boundary breaks could result in more profit for the publishers and developers. Just look at SEGA. While their blue blur flopped with constant let-downs, SEGA has been riding hard thanks to the Yakuza games. Even titles like Journey, which was previously a PS exclusive, saw a massive rise in popularity with its release on Epic Games. A small, cute, and atmospheric title that managed to captivate many.
Who says that studios like Santa Monica, Insomniac or Sucker Punch won’t follow with lavish worlds and game designs that could deliver even better titles, with the right amount of cash. While it doesn’t all revolve around that, it is a crucial factor to be considered.
All Those In Favor? All Those Opposed?
The ones most likely to break this curse of exclusivity might come from those already known to grace the PC Master Race. From Software is a prime candidate, known for their Souls series. Rumors have already started to spread that the next releases will come in the form of remasters, be that of Demon Souls or Bloodborne, maybe.
Supermassive Games, known for Until Dawn, also looks like a possible candidate, especially with their recent game, Man of Medan, already out on PC. While it wasn’t praised as much as their previous project, adventure games are known for being multi-platform.
However, studios like Naughty Dog and Sony Santa Monica are less likely to join this ensemble. Their home has always been on Sony consoles, and probably always will be. They managed this far without the jump to other platforms and managed to create some of the most critically acclaimed exclusives. So it is unlikely that you’ll see the adventures of Drake and Kratos anywhere but on the PlayStation, as much as you want it.
Insomniac Games is also likely to stand its ground, having built a foundation with games like Ratchet and Clank and Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Conclusion
In the end, is it possible for exclusives to finally break their wall of seclusion? The answer is both yes and no. While there may be titles that could transition over time, there will always be those that will remain loyal. And while this doesn’t just concern PlayStation, it is unlikely that Nintendo will have a sudden change of heart either. However, there is no shame in exclusively.
If the developers want you to experience your favorite games on their system, then go buy the game and console. It’s the way it was intended to be played, and I have nothing but respect for the people who stand bold in their belief. It’s much more respectful to go out and buy it, then download a pirated game that just became a multi-platform. But what are your opinions on the matter? We would like to know what you think of this whole debacle, so be sure to comment below.
- The Importance of Clara Zetkin for International Women’s Day - March 8, 2020
- Tatsuro Yamashita aka The King of City Pop - March 1, 2020
- Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time Announced for 2020 - February 25, 2020