PS5 Cross-Buy for PC appears in Store data, Signaling Potential Shift Away From Steam
A dataminer has uncovered evidence within the PlayStation Store’s backend suggesting a forthcoming cross-buy feature allowing PS5 game purchases to be playable on PC. The discovery, reported by Insider Gaming, includes a symbol specifically denoting cross-buy eligibility and points to a dedicated PlayStation PC game launcher potentially replacing Steam as the primary platform for PC-based PlayStation titles.
This growth marks a critically important potential shift in Sony’s PC gaming strategy. currently, select PlayStation exclusives are released on PC, typically through Steam. A native PlayStation launcher with cross-buy functionality would offer a more unified gaming experience for PlayStation users and directly compete with Steam’s dominance. The move comes as the PC gaming market continues to grow, recently surpassing console revenue with $40.2 billion in revenue in 2023, according to Newzoo, exceeding the console market’s $38.3 billion.
PlayStation has previously offered cross-play functionality, allowing players on PS3 and PS4 to access games on the PS Vita. Leaks surrounding a potential PS6 handheld device suggest this interoperability could continue, with speculation that a low-power mode on the PS5 could enable games to run on the handheld, potentially eliminating the need for enhanced graphics.
While sony has not officially confirmed the ”PlayStation Play Anywhere” initiative, the company appears to be moving away from a reliance on exclusive titles, a strategy Nintendo remains firmly committed to. The emergence of this cross-buy data signals a potential broadening of PlayStation’s ecosystem and a more integrated approach to PC gaming.
