2018’s God of War recently ported to PC and experienced massive success with the platform, proving console exclusives should be a thing of the past.
God of War is the latest PlayStation exclusive to make its way to PC, and its success among critics proves that console exclusives should be a thing of the past. PlayStation and Xbox have long dominated the console industry, buying game studios to develop exclusive titles in an attempt to sell more consoles than their competitor. Unfortunately, this business practice significantly decreases accessibility for potential buyers while showing blatant disrespect for consumers on a tighter budget. God of War’s success on PC proves that companies can make money while still making customers happy with the released product.
God of War’s PC version is not the only former PlayStation exclusive to make its way to PC and is joined by titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Zero Dawn. With each title gathering the attention of so many players, it’s disheartening to realize that games of this quality are frequently relegated to consoles for several years before other versions become available. Unfortunately, not all console exclusives secure the opportunity to port to other platforms, limiting the game’s lifespan and the audiences it can reach.
God of War is a highly successful franchise that has maintained exclusivity on PlayStation for some time. However, after the success of 2018’s God of War, it’s clear the exclusivity of various series and titles is holding IPs back from bigger audiences. Though the infamous console wars continue to rage on, many games are turning to homemade gaming PCs to save money in the long run (and implement the latest hardware). While console exclusives provide corporations with impressively profitable deals between developers, God of War’s PC version proves it’s harmful in the long run.
Perhaps the biggest underlying flaw of console exclusivity is the perpetuation of expensive consoles that only maintain relevance for a couple of years before becoming obsolete. The PlayStation 5 (Sony’s latest console) is exceptionally scarce at many retailers despite being released in 2020. Those still unable to obtain a unit must pay an excessive price for a console whose lifetime is already declining. Like most games, Santa Monica Studio likely judged God of War’s success off sales. Though the title received high praise from critics and players alike, its reputation represents an exception. If interested parties can’t purchase a quality title because of console exclusivity and numbers suffer, the series will likely cease development. Instead of advertising how effectively consoles run modern titles, the industry created by console exclusivity turns games into advertisements for consoles.
Thankfully, Santa Monica Studio has an impeccable reputation for passionate projects and exemplary results. 2018’s God of War won Game of the Year and dozens of other rewards, gathering significant internet attention and praise from many acclaimed content creators. However, many exclusives on PlayStation and Xbox have already faded from the public eye, such as projects like Returnal. While these games may attract attention at release, their longevity is questionable and could result from console exclusivity rather than game quality. Though God of War experienced significant popularity and already secured a sequel with God of War Ragnarok, an untold number of exclusives have failed to reach the threshold of sales needed for a continuing series. To prevent this in the future and ensure every game has a fair shot at success, companies should shift their focus away from console exclusivity.
The gaming industry, first and foremost, was created to make publishers and developers more money than the competition. The cycle continues when profits fuel the development of more IPs or sequels. Unfortunately, console exclusives can threaten games’ lifespans. God of War emerged as a PlayStation exclusive, building a fanbase before PC gaming became a dominant figure in gaming. However, God of War’s console exclusivity limited more than profits from sales and could have affected other revenue streams as well. Merchandise from God of War like shirts, cups, pins, socks, keychains, and more can provide a game with attention and additional attention. Legally made (or inspired products) often pay for the licensing of merchandise, providing more profit from the game.
Like most game developers and publishers, games that don’t succeed in sales and popularity don’t receive further development. This system focuses on profit but could extend to consumer interaction if given a chance. One of the biggest appeals of AAA game PC ports is the opportunity for modders to create original gameplay or improve existing systems. While some companies are much stricter than others regarding modded content, it attracts potential buyers’ attention and secures more sales. Consoles are less suited for client-side modding, but manipulating code is still possible on every platform and provides untapped markets for gaming companies to access by eliminating console exclusives.
Major gaming developers and publishers are entirely focused on profit, as all businesses in every industry are. While the quality of games has largely increased over the years, many high-profile releases (like Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield 2042, and Halo Infinite’s multiplayer) suffered from botched launches in the name of profit. Unlike many AAA games released recently, God of War provides an in-depth story experience with no additional Season Pass or expansions to purchase. Though its original release on PlayStation and many awards likely attracted attention from new players, the number of players who bought the product on PC speaks to an untapped market.
Though console exclusive deals often come with monetary compensation, it likely can’t rival two platforms’ worth of additional buyers. Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard could represent a new chapter, as both companies assured that titles from the developer wouldn’t become Xbox exclusives. God of War remains unaffected by this acquisition, but the policy speaks to a deeper understanding of profits in the gaming industry. If PlayStation exclusives like God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn continue to see support, it’s likely more developers, and console creators could see the benefit of abandoning console exclusives for wider releases and the possibility for more growth.
God of War’s success on PC proves that companies can earn significant profits from other platforms. The continuation of console exclusivity only continues the console wars and damages game performances. As PC continues to grow in popularity, God of War is available on PC and PlayStation now, with God of War Ragnarok scheduled to release at some point in 2022, unfortunately as a PlayStation exclusive.
Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant. Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.
