A new consumer survey suggests that console players continue to value exclusive games, though their importance is gradually declining. This comes as Microsoft and Sony are reevaluating how and where their titles will be released across platforms.
Exclusivity Still Key, But Slowly Losing Ground
Exclusive titles remain the primary reason players choose a console, but that driver is down eight percentage points year-over-year, according to Circana's Q1 Future of Video Games survey. Exclusivity is still important, but the findings suggest player priorities are slowly changing as the industry develops.
The data, uncovered by The Game Business, has come to light as both PlayStation and Xbox re-evaluate their release strategies. Sony is rumoured to be reducing the number of PC releases for some of its single-player games, while Xbox's new leadership has signalled a wider move that includes bringing first-party games to rival platforms, such as PlayStation.
Other Factors Influencing Console Choice
Beyond exclusives, the survey also highlights other key factors influencing console choice. Around 38% of respondents said they play on consoles because their friends and family use them, while 37% cited ease of playing with others. Another 36% preferred a more casual gaming setup.
Sony and Microsoft Rethink Multi-Platform Strategies
Microsoft and Sony may be having second thoughts about their multi-platform strategy. Sony is changing its plans for releasing PlayStation 5 games on PC. According to Bloomberg, future single-player PS5 games will stay exclusive to PlayStation and won't come to PC. Games like Ghost of Yotei and Saros are among the first to be affected by this change.
Multiplayer games like Marathon will still come to multiple platforms, as they need large player communities to work well. Some third-party games published by PlayStation, like Death Stranding 2, will still get PC releases.
One reason behind this shift may be Microsoft's next Xbox, which is rumoured to work as both a console and a PC. Sony may not want its games running on Xbox hardware through Steam.
On the other hand, Microsoft's new Xbox boss, Asha Sharma, says the company is reevaluating its approach to exclusivity. Xbox has been releasing its games on PS5 and Nintendo Switch, but there are signs it may pull back from that strategy. Xbox's new focus will be on daily active players, with goals to improve hardware, add more content, strengthen services, and enhance the player experience.
