I remember thinking to myself, many years ago, about the concept of video games being exclusive to particular platforms and, for the first time, thought about how silly the mere concept was! “After all, Blu-ray discs don’t require specific players to function! Why should video games be any different?” were my thoughts and, while it isn’t quite as simple as that, we now see that the industry is beginning to think this as well. Therefore, I thought I might discuss video game exclusivity, why it’s dying and why that’s fantastic news!
For as long as the video game industry has existed, there have been games exclusive to particular platforms. Limitations were certainly a factor in this since many earlier games used Assembly language, a programming language which prevented programs from being released on multiple devices. This meant that the same game released on different platforms at the time were actually completely different titles and would have their own quirks and differences! However, the advent of high-level programming languages meant that titles were no longer restricted to specific hardware and could be released across multiple platforms. Despite this, we have seen video game exclusivity make its way into the present day with numerous titles artificially restricted due to contractual agreements. The idea was that video game exclusivity helped to move hardware by creating an artificial and, usually, unnecessary difference between platforms that would influence consumer decisions and spending.
However, this concept has begun to wane in recent years and recent events hint towards its inevitable end. One of the first signs was Microsoft’s decision to eschew keeping their titles exclusive to the Xbox and, instead, release their games on both console and PC. I remember some people being surprised but there was also a relatively easy way for many to process this change. “Microsoft make the Windows operating system so it makes sense that they would release their games on there as well.” seemed to be most people’s thoughts on the matter. I think the conversation began to change though when the rumours of a Horizon Zero Dawn PC port turned out to be true. A Sony game being released for PC could only be for revenue and that’s clearly Sony’s aim based on their investor meetings and their recent statement where they said that multiplatform releases can help their operating profit.
There is an argument to be made that the PC isn’t a direct competitor to consoles and, so, releasing exclusive games on there is ok as long as they remain a “Console Exclusive”. Interestingly, it’s Microsoft that seems to be shedding this archaic concept as they announced recently that they’ll be releasing four of their games, rumoured to be Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves and Grounded, to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. It’s worth noting that Xbox games such as the two Ori games have come to the Nintendo Switch in the past but it’s near unbelievable that these games are going to be released on the PlayStation, the console that would traditionally be viewed as the Xbox’s true competitor, is a remarkable change in the industry and one that I can only hope is followed up by other video game publishers.
Now, I don’t believe that every video game is going to be released on every platform in the future. For one, hardware limitations are always going to be a factor with a particular example being the Nintendo Switch which has resorted to cloud gaming in an attempt to have more graphically intensive games available. Control schemes are also another factor where games developed with something other than a standard controller or keyboard and mouse are going to prove complicated to port to other platforms. However, I do believe that a future where games are available on as many platforms as possible is of vital importance to the video game industry. It’d be healthier as it would lower the barrier of entry to gaming and having consoles battle each other on the basis of hardware, services, features etc. is much more consumer-friendly than artificially restricting access to games.
Let me know your thoughts on video game exclusivity, whether you agree that it’s dying, if you think it’s fantastic like I do or if you think there could be some issues, what you think about Microsoft releasing some games for the PlayStation and any additional information you might have on the topic.
Thanks for reading and if you wish to seek any of the titles I mentioned, don’t hesitate to use amazon.co.uk or amazon.com for all of your needs! Also feel free to follow my curator page on Steam “JRPG Reviews” for thoughts and opinions on any JRPGs that I play and my YouTube channel “Victory Achieved Gaming” where I guide my friend through challenging games.