Sony has shared its plans for its game and network services segment in a detailed presentation for investors. The Japanese company is ready to bring more popular franchises to PC and mobile platforms.
Of course, Sony has huge plans for PlayStation 5, as its launch sales are higher than those of any of the company’s previous consoles. It is expected to sell 14.8 million PS5 during a new fiscal year, and Sony wants to take over at least 50% of the global console market.
The company also revealed an exponential growth of PS Plus (it now has 48 million subscribers) and PS Now (it had 3.2 million users by the end of 2020, which is up 77% year-over-year). According to Matt Piscatella, it indicates the importance of subscription and cloud gaming services.
Although Sony is quite successful in the console market, it wants to expand its presence to other platforms. The PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn had ROI (return on investment) of more than 250% and helped Sony target new audiences in China, Russia, and India. The company also revealed its plans to port Uncharted 4: At Thief’s End to PC and bring more successful IPs to mobile.
However, The Verge senior editor Tom Warren thinks that Sony is just “testing the waters.” While PC ports generate huge revenue, the company has a history of canceling PC launches of games like Final Fantasy XVI and Demon’s Souls.
this PlayStation to PC strategy feels like Sony is testing the waters. There’s a huge amount of revenue from PC gaming for PlayStation games. That’s especially true if Sony reduces the launch window. Remember the Demon’s Souls and Final Fantasy XVI now-retracted PC launches? pic.twitter.com/F7oXu7DBNY
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) May 27, 2021
Niko Partners senior analyst Daniel Ahmad also commented on Sony’s plans. He noted that bringing console franchises to mobile is a “common strategy these days.” To illustrate it, Ahmad recalled a recent partnership between Xbox and TiMi Studios.
Increasing the reach of IP through mobile expansion is a common strategy these days. Mobile game rev. is more than 2x the size of the console market.
Even Xbox and TiMi (Tencent) announced a recent collab that signals an expansion to mobile.
Also here is a look at PS+ growth. pic.twitter.com/wkpQoyh3L9
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) May 26, 2021