Exclusive games don’t seem to hold as much weight as they used to. Sony frequently releases its titles on PC, and Microsoft recently announced that even the popular Halo series will be available on PlayStation 5. However, some people still believe in the importance of exclusives, and Shawn Layden is one of them.
In defense of exclusive titles
Shawn Layden, formerly the head of Sony’s PlayStation studios throughout most of the PlayStation 4’s lifespan, recently discussed how publishers handle their exclusive games on the Pause for Thought podcast.
While I don’t believe all games need to be limited to one console, I understand why companies like Sony and Nintendo create exclusives. Having unique games strengthens their brand, even though Microsoft generally makes Xbox games widely available.
According to Layden, having games that are only available on a specific platform remains a significant benefit for the company that owns it. He argues that multi-platform games tend to be limited by the capabilities of the weakest device they run on, while exclusive games can really push the boundaries and take full advantage of the platform’s power.
If Mario suddenly showed up on PlayStation, it would be a huge shock, like something out of a disaster movie! It’d be as unbelievable as seeing cats and dogs get along. The same goes for Nathan Drake and the Uncharted series – those games are iconic to PlayStation and really define what the system is all about.
Currently, Nintendo is unique in releasing its major games exclusively on its own consoles, and it doesn’t seem likely they’ll be available on PC anytime soon, aside from titles like Pokemon Champions which are coming to mobile. Former PlayStation executive Layden believes exclusive games will remain a part of the industry, but he stresses that those exclusives won’t be multiplayer titles – those types of games perform best when released on multiple platforms.
We expect some games will remain exclusive, but for large multiplayer games – especially free-to-play ones – releasing on multiple platforms is almost essential. It’s the best way to reach the widest possible audience.
Recently, Layden has been openly sharing his thoughts on the gaming industry. He’s been critical of games that rely on ongoing services, voiced doubts about the use of artificial intelligence, and questioned the value of subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass.
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2025-12-29 14:02