Sony Says Its Business Model For PlayStation Is To Step Away From Its Hardware Focus To “Expand The Community”

One of the biggest concerns for many console owners is the exclusive offerings that their systems bring to the table. Although a selling point initially, it has now transitioned to a larger margin for the platform holder. We see this with Xbox already thanks to its first-party games shipping on PlayStation. “Better games that more people can play,” Phil Spencer describes the mindset. Since then, we’ve seen Forza Horizon 5 leading on the PlayStation Store for 2025.

Additionally, Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly been pursuing a similar multiplatform ambition. In 2024, then-president Hiroki Totoki pressed that a large push for him is to explore a greater effort for PlayStation games on more platforms. And this is already showing to be addressed in recent weeks. Later in August, Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 will be releasing on Xbox with an official port.

So what is the full goal for PlayStation then? According to a new statement from Sony senior vice president Sadahiko Hayakawa, as translated by @Genki_JPN on X, the firm intends to stray away from the ongoing hardware-centered business model with a broader platform focus endeavor moving forward.

“In the gaming business, we are moving away from a hardware centric business model more to a platform business that expands the community and increases engagement,” Hayakawa said. The X user elaborated that Hayakawa’s wording towards this transition is to embrace creative revenue rather than output products. Specifically Sony in film, music, and games receives more than 60 percent in total revenue annually.

As for other changes that are happening at PlayStation, Bungie is up to be altered as well. According to corporate Sony, the intent is to transition the Destiny developer into a proper addition for PlayStation Studios. While straying away from the initial promise of being an independent studio, it is reassured that efforts like Marathon will not be canceled. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised by this update for PlayStation?