Opinion: Sony Should Release A PlayStation Launcher For PC

Another launcher on PC? You’re mental. That’s usually the kind of response I get when I say that I want a PlayStation launcher on PC, that or I get called a fanboy and or idiot. To be fair we already have Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG, all of which are great. From a business perspective however, it doesn’t make sense for Sony to release their games on another platform, especially since they are looking to build a bigger presence on PC.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has been testing the waters on PC for some time now, yet they don’t really have much of a presence on it. PlayStation is one of the biggest brands in the world and the PlayStation Store is one of the biggest digital storefronts in the world and yet PlayStation’s presence on PC is mediocre at best.

Things have been improving, Sony has confirmed that it plans to release more PlayStation games on PC and they even bought a studio that specialises in PC ports. Both of these are great moves but it still feels like Sony are half-assing it. Sony’s presence on PC, a market which is growing rapidly is rather disappointing.

Missed Opportunities

Beyond: Two Souls, Days Gone, Death Stranding, Detroit: Become Human, Heavy Rain and Horizon Zero Dawn have all recently been released on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Of these releases, only Days Gone and Horizon Zero Dawn was published by Sony despite all rights to the IP belonging to SIE.

It’s the same situation with Sony San Diego’s MLB The Show, which is published by the MLB on Xbox and missing on both PC and Switch. There are a few possibilities for this; Sony is either terrible at negotiating (which does not seem likely), they didn’t want to have their name associated with other platforms, they were testing the waters or they simply did not care enough.

We know that Sony plan on bringing more PlayStation games from the PlayStation 4 generation over to PC, we know that both Days Gone and Horizon Zero Dawn was successful on PC and we know that PC players want more games from PlayStation Studios on their preferred platform. With games like Gravity Rush, Uncharted, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima and most importantly, Bloodborne, Sony have a library of games that would be able to entice almost any PC gamer to download a PlayStation launcher.

The big question is what does Sony stand to gain from a PlayStation launcher on PC? The simple answer is money, and a lot of it. Getting a PlayStation launcher certainly won’t come cheap and there is already strong competition but a PlayStation launcher doesn’t need to mean that PlayStation games can’t also come to Steam and the EGS.

Cross-Buy

One of the best features about the PS3 and Vita era was cross-buy, buy a game on PS3 and you get the Vita version for free and vice versa. Not every game supported this, in-fact it was mostly Indies and a handful of first-party titles. This was mostly because whilst it’s a great feature publishers would rather have you buy the game twice.

A lot has changed since the launch of cross-buy however, we now have “upgrade paths”. Upgrade paths give you a way to upgrade to a next-gen version of a game, usually for around $10. Whilst this feature is somewhat scummy for consoles, especially for first-party titles, it would make more sense for PC.

I own almost every single first-party title on PlayStation 4 and if I want to play them on PC I either have to stream it via the Remote Play app or wait for the PC port and pay $49.99 to do so. Giving Multiplatform gamers the option to access their PlayStation library on PC for a fraction of the cost could break Sony’s barrier to PC gaming, especially if the cross-save support is implemented from day 1.

Limitless Potential

Sony is one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world and it produces some of the best content in the world, it also has some of the best content ever produced in its vault. When it comes to content preservation there’s no better place than PC. From a purely video game standpoint there are too many great games that are bound to be forgotten because it’s not on modern platforms.

Games from the PS1 era like Vagrant Story and The Legend of Dragoon or games from the PS2 era like Xenosaga and Syphon Filter are being lost to time. The only hope for these games is to wait for a remaster, most of which won’t get one, or play them through emulation, which most publishers frown upon or take legal action against.

A PlayStation Launcher for PC could ensure that these classics are always accessible and accessible in a way that benefits all parties. This could also provide a large revenue stream for Sony Interactive Entertainment, adding resolution and framerate improvements wouldn’t require much effort and we know that there is a market for these classic games.

PC could also lead to second chances for franchises that didn’t find an audience on console or were successful enough on a single platform. Soul Sacrifice, Freedom Wars, Tokyo Jungle, Gravity Rush and so many other first-party titles from Sony Interactive Entertainment are deserving of life and increasing accessibility of these smaller games could allow them to live again.

Synergy

At the moment Sony has been increasing investment in both anime and gaming, with the acquisition of several video game studios and the acquisition of Crunchyroll they now have some of the best content in both industries in their arsenal. Anime and gaming are not only thriving on PC but the markets are growing. A PlayStation launcher can combine two of Sony’s biggest departments seamlessly.

Sony Interactive Entertainment have already introduced something similar with the PlayStation 5, the storefront now has a dedicated subscriptions page that displays PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Now and EA Play subscription items. It doesn’t include content from the Funimation or Crunchyroll platforms and it probably never will given that the console storefront is rather more limiting than what can be achieved on a PC one.

With a PC launcher, Sony can make the PlayStation Store more than just games, the PlayStation Store can be the showroom for the very best of Sony. Anime, games, movies, music and TV, all under one roof. Sony has been trying to get their various divisions working closer together and a PlayStation launcher on PC could facilitate it.

Closing

PC, mobile and cloud gaming is the future of gaming. Consoles and handhelds certainly aren’t going anywhere but their market share is only going to go down from here on out. With the quality of PlayStation Studios, a rich library of exclusives, the brand power of PlayStation and the existing userbase of the PlayStation Network it makes this seem like a no-brainer. Sony is missing out by not giving PC gaming the attention it deserves and the longer they wait to do so the harder it’ll be for them to build their own platform on it. At the end of the day, it’s simply easier to release games on Steam and the Epic Games Store but in the long run, there’s absolutely no question that releasing a PlayStation Launcher for PC

[IMissJimRyan]

It's a matter of time.

[Sayai jin]

Agreed.

[LordoftheCritics]

No thank you

[Atticus_finch]

It is only a matter of time. In fact every major publisher will have their own launcher with exclusive games. That won't take long.

[carrotcakeag]

They have a really bad PS Now app on PC so they may as well replace that with a full PlayStation app that has trophies, friends, account stuff, streaming and non-streaming games, dualsense config, etc

[Neonridr]

yeah it would be cool if they replaced everything with a more all encompassing app. Even have access to the store through it as well.

I don't see the need to have a standalone launcher for the 1 game a year they port over.

[Jivesh]

That's what I want, hell even the store and general websites suck on PC.

[ARESWARLORD]

absolutely

[JEECE]

No. There are already too many launchers.

[jukins]

Oh no another icon. . . .your phone probably has more icons . . . .

[CDbiggen]

Yeah, it's just that, an icon. That's all that the launcher is. Yep. Great job.

[jukins]

Lol i just dont see the issue i have epic steam orgin rockstar whats the big issue other than just wanting to complain?

[Good-Smurf]

Too many problematic Launchers was one of the reason I leave PC gaming and that was in mid 2000s I reckon it got 100 times worse than that now.

[JEECE]

Ugh remember the fun of starting a game on Steam only for it to require you to start up a Games For Windows launcher?

[Flewid638]

I never had a launcher be problematic on me.

On the flipside....PC in and of itself can definitely be a troubleshooting nightmare.

[PitbullMonster]

The PC gpu market is broken. With 900€+ Gpus the PC won't beat 400-500€ consoles.

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Yes, for now.

[Shiore2u]

Even with spending that much on a GPU you'd still end up spending less than what you would on consoles after an eight year generation of paying ridiculous premiums on just about everything. Either way consoles are not in competition with PC. PC is in a league of it's own.

[PitbullMonster]

I built my pc for 1500€ in 2016. After 5 years my gtx1070 is completely on its limits and it doesn't make fun to play with it anymore. A gtx 3070 costs currently around 1000€. Let us say I could sell my gtx 1070 for around 400€ that means a new rtx3070 would cost me 600€. So after 5 years my pc would cost me 2100€. I payed 900€ for my ps4pro and ps5 that means I can spend 1200€ for games and ps+/PSnow until I have the same cost as my pc hardware.
Yes PC is in a completely different league but in the negative way.

[Good-Smurf]

Sense of dejavu like I seen this blog post before.

[Inverno]

Yea so that all those whiney PC gamers can bitch and moan about having to download a launcher and pretend it's the end of the world when they can't purchase the games day 1 on Steam ha

[LordoftheCritics]

Console players are lucky they dont have to deal with 12 different launchers. It's not just Origin, Ubisoft Connect, Epic, Steam, GoG, Battle.net, Xbox App, Windows Store, but many mmos and online games have their own launchers. It adds up.

I would say stfu for being ignorant but what's the point.

[Inverno]

What's there to be ignorant about? I have Steam, Origins, GOG, Ubi, Epic, Bethesda, Windows Store and Twitch for all the free Prime games. All on one platform. It's only a hassle when you gotta make s new account but after you set it up as auto sign in, make desktop shortcuts of the games you play often and you don't even gotta worry about launching the apps cause it does it for you. It can add up all it wants it's still all on PC.
Oh and dont forget all the free games you can get on PC when all these publishers give em away. Lucky are PC gamers with all the options without having to pay a yearly sub!

[PrinceAli]

and even wit ghwhat you said you STILL sound like an absolute dumbass looool.. it's REALLY not that deep AT ALL!

[jukins]

Adds up to what? You click a launcher cliick the game. . . .ive gotten downvotes and snarky comments but no one can actually explain whats the big issue.

[annoyedgamer]

You can use a pirate crack and never use the launcher.

[FortWaba]

ANOTHER launcher? Are you mental?

[Brazz]

Give It some time... If there's good money to be made Sony Will do It.

[jukins]

Probably would serve them well but maybe after more ps games release. Maybe even have it mimic the current ps5 dashboard an encompass psnow as well maybe even try to get psplus games that have a pc version on there

[RaveTears]

Cross Buy for both platform would be great but PlayStation are greedy so I don't expect them to bring this feature back. If they did then I would accept paying $70 for a game.

[anast]

I already have around 5 or 6 launchers I hardly use, and I am sure this is nothing compared to most gamers, I suppose adding another launcher is what everyone needs...

[Shiore2u]

I'd sooner pirate than install another launcher. Heed that warning suits. If you're gonna sell products on this platform you'll last longer by not being vexatious about it.

[Giblet_Head]

Would welcome it only on the condition that they also simultaneously release their titles to Steam, GOG, Epic etc. PC is about options after all. If their storefront is actually good and feature rich then it will last. Forcing people to use it on the basis of exclusivity won't however. Epic and others are learning that lesson the hard way.

[Pocahontas]

Haha like you dictate anything haha even if they lose sales to pirates they make up money elsewhere. Fun fact- if they keep doing it it’s clearly working for them. Entitled trash pudding right here

[Shiore2u]

Cool story. Still pirating if they do. Deal with it.

[Pocahontas]

Good on ya you do you but let’s not pretend…..

[UncertainCategory]

Do you remember how this website reacted when the Epic store launched? PC gamers are not receptive to additional launchers.

Finally there does not exist a universe in which Sony would support a cross buy solution between pc and PlayStation. Their entire motivation for investing in pc is for additional sales, they want you to double dip.

I have no doubt that they would want to have their own launcher, but look at other publishers that have pulled this off. All have live service games that generate increased and regular traffic to the app, like fortnight or wow/over watch. Sony has amazing games, but most are single player experiences that you can experience fully in 20-40 hours. That doesn’t keep people coming back, spending money consistently and generating repeat traffic and engagement.

I don’t see it. Not until Sony has a megaton multiplayer live service game that specifically appeals to PC gamers (and frankly I don’t really want to see them make such a game)

Just my opinion. But my money would be on Sony pushing harder for cloud solutions long term, rather than investing in pc launchers.

[eddieistheillest]

Hell yeah.

[StarLink]

What they should add is PS trophies for PC that sync with your PS account.

[rokos]

They did buy Nixxes Software a studio that specializes in porting games, I would assume more PC ports are coming and if successful may they would cut the middle man (Steam, EGS), however that would be years ahead.

[Petebloodyonion]

They already have a launcher on PC it's called Epic Game Store or do ppl already forget that Sony is now a shareholder or EpicGames?

Now regarding the actual idea, it would never work because the majority of the reasons mentioned are going against what's Sony stands for.

1) Cross-Buy
Sorry but Sony doesn't like giving things for free as we can easily see with how they charge you for the upgrade on PS5. Also, let's not forget that PC gaming is cheaper compared to console gaming so another thing that Sony would hate to do is to charge you a cheaper price to compete with PC price.
And last but not least Sony wants to release their game on PS5 1st then on PC at a later date.

2) Limitless potential
Sony isn't interested in game preservation Sony is interested in selling you the next game at maximum profit
When you play Legacy title you don't play the newest Sony game, when there's a 5$ option to buy the PS1 game of .... there's less interest in shelling the 40$ remaster that includes upgrades that mods already made for available for free (see Nintendo N64 online fiasco).
Also, Sony already have a solution for legacy titles, it's called PSNOW and they can easily remove game without having ppl complain (like GTA remaster).

[Orchard]

No they shouldn't. We already have too many launchers on PC, we don't need another for one publisher only. Let's just stick with Steam + Epic Store, the de-facto standard launchers on PC.

Plus we all know Sony will never enable cross-buy, they do not support things like that.

[ElvisHuxley]

I have enough launchers already. Why can't we go back to just download the game and installing it? Why are launchers necessary? I can do my own organization.

[porkChop]

If PlayStation wants the most profit they need to be on the launcher with the most users, Steam. And Sony doesn't do cross-buy anymore, it's not coming back. Nor would they do cheap upgrades. The whole reason they're coming to PC is to bring in extra profits. They aren't going to cut those profits.

[Pocahontas]

Not true or they wouldn’t keep doing it. Do you like lying to yourself?

[FanboysKiller]

Socs should be considered for better compatibility, they could do it on a discrete card.

[FreeFallFrenzy]

I'm all for a Playstation launcher, just as long as they don't stop selling the games on the other launchers. There definitely would be incentive to buy on the launcher though, with trophies and save files transferring between console and PC. I've always been a proponent of this, with PS Now being fully integrated in with it, too.

[ApocalypseShadow]

I think the gaming community would have been more interested in the conversation if OP was about a "PlayStation PC" based off of PS5 but beefed up on SSD size, even higher CPU and GPU power, a Dual Sense PC controller and VR ready for Sony's next VR headset that can be used on PS5 as well. Maybe $599-$799. Basically, Sony creates hardware not held back by console pricing structure. A BEHEMOTH of hardware. Don't think that community is interested in yet ANOTHER launcher.

The VR headset is also capable with drivers to be used for Steam VR games. PlayStation PC would also be a PC that does productivity with Windows 11 as a side bootable OS as any computer would do.

Not only could Sony release games across console and PC, but still make ports of games to regular PC hardware and make money on hardware. It wouldn't feel like Sony was taking away from console with its games as it would be an extended platform of PlayStation. My opinion anyway.

And that's coming from a console gamer that would rather they stick with console and just beef up PS5 to play all generations of PlayStation. With VR and AR added too.

[ANIALATOR136]

Wish they would all just use Steam. It's the best established. It's the only launcher where controllers work properly for every game and you don't have to spend hours trying to get it to work

[dizeestl]

No, but they should let us update our Dualsense firmware from the PC since alot of us don't want or have a PS5 to update it with.

[MADGameR]

SONY should just make PC players subscribe to PlayStation Plus on PC if they want to play those AAA exclusives

[Neofire]

PC players still begging 👀 you want them to add drivers and launches on PC even when they don't have backwards compatibility for PS1 and 2 on the ps5? Talk about entitled. The only reason they are releasing all these titles on PC currently is because of the British hog head at the helm now. Jim is willing to alienate the entire Playstation fan base just to get a few extra dollars.

Let's face it, PC players could care less about the Playstation platform not to long ago they were saying silly shit like "Sony ponys" or "console peasants".

[badz149]

a launcher with 3 games? why would anybody want that?

[dbcoops]

Why aren't people port begging for Nintendo games and Launchers on PC? Why is it ok for Nintendo to stay within its own eco-system yet its always shame on Sony for doing the same?

[cammers1995]

As long as it does the following, I'd use it:
- allow purchases of PC games.
- allow streaming via psnow
- allow trophies
- allow crossplay

Essentially, make it so you can turn your PC into a PlayStation.

[UltimateOwnage]

An article right up front. Huh. Anyways, I’m happy their games are on Steam, right along with all of my other PC games. I hope it stays that way.