“It’s important to realize that we’re really thoughtful about bringing our franchises off console to reach new audiences and that we’re taking a very measured, very deliberate approach in doing that.”
That’s how PlayStation Studios CEO Hermen Hulst described Sony’s approach to porting its first-party exclusives to PC earlier this year. But recent discoveries of references to PC gaming and a possible “cross-buy” feature on the PlayStation 5 storefront have sparked speculation that the company might be planning something bolder with its next console lineup, possibly when the PS6 launches in the not-too-distant future.
### New Symbols Hint at Cross-Platform Features
According to dataminer Amethxst, with confirmation from others, new symbols have been added to the PlayStation Store backend for PS5. Among these are a shared “PS5/PC” icon and another labeled “Cross-Buy.” These icons use official Sony fonts and are notably absent from the PS4 interface.
While these new symbols aren’t concrete proof of upcoming features, they strongly suggest that Sony is exploring ways to expand the PlayStation ecosystem beyond a single console. This would be similar to Microsoft’s “Play Anywhere” initiative, which allows cross-platform ownership between Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. Microsoft has also expanded into PC gaming handhelds with devices like the ROG Xbox Ally X, offering a full-screen Windows gaming experience.
### Sony’s Expanding Footprint on PC Gaming
Sony’s efforts to extend its reach into PC gaming have been ongoing for years. Starting with *Horizon Zero Dawn* in 2021, the company has steadily brought major PS5 exclusives like *Spider-Man 2* to platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store, often within 15 months of their console release. At this rate, fans can expect *Astro Bot* to arrive on PC by early next year.
However, Sony has refrained from adopting day-and-date releases on PC outside of online multiplayer titles like *Helldivers 2*. Balancing the transition to PC while encouraging new players to join the PlayStation Network (PSN) remains a challenge.
### Navigating the PlayStation Network Integration
To enhance the PC gaming experience, Sony has incorporated features like trophy support in Steam versions of titles such as *Ghost of Tsushima*. Yet, the requirement for PSN login—even in single-player games—has drawn criticism from the community. This illustrates the delicate balance Sony must maintain to protect its ecosystem while expanding onto other platforms.
One significant downside for Sony is that when PlayStation games sell on PC via third-party storefronts, companies like Valve and Epic take a cut of the sales revenue.
### The Case for a PlayStation PC Launcher
A straightforward solution to this issue would be a dedicated PlayStation PC launcher, similar to services offered by Ubisoft and other major publishers.
Interestingly, Sony reportedly considered such a launcher based on file references found in *Spider-Man Remastered*. While the company opted to directly integrate PSN authentication into Steam versions, the recent “PS5/PC” and “Cross-Buy” references suggest that a bespoke launcher might still be in development.
A PlayStation PC launcher would enable features such as purchasing a game like *God of War* once and accessing it on both console and PC without extra cost—mirroring Microsoft’s “Play Anywhere” model. For example, buying *Baldur’s Gate 3* on Xbox Series X grants access to the Windows version because Microsoft owns the PC storefront and manages cross-platform licensing.
### Revisiting Cross-Buy Support and Rumored Handhelds
Far from being a new concept, Sony has supported “Cross-Buy” within the PlayStation ecosystem before. A notable example was the PlayStation Vita, which allowed owners to buy certain games once and play them across both the portable system and PS3. The original *Helldivers* benefited from this feature before the Vita’s rapid decline ended the initiative.
A new high-end gaming handheld approaching PS5-level performance could revive and expand “Cross-Buy” in a meaningful way.
### What the Future Might Hold
There are two intriguing possibilities:
1. Sony’s rumored next-generation handheld could provide access to the entire library of PS4 and PS5 games players already own, leveraging “Cross-Buy” to unify the ecosystem.
2. For PC gamers new to PlayStation, “Cross-Buy” could offer a seamless bridge—allowing them to redeem digital purchases across PC and PlayStation consoles, making it easier to join the PlayStation ecosystem.
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Sony’s recent developments hint at a future where the PlayStation experience transcends traditional hardware boundaries, broadening accessibility while maintaining the strong identity that has defined the brand for years. Whether through new launcher technology, enhanced cross-buy support, or innovative handheld devices, the PlayStation ecosystem appears poised for exciting evolution.
https://kotaku.com/ps5-pc-cross-buy-leak-sony-handheld-ps6-2000641324