Multiple reliable insiders have recently discussed PlayStation’s changing strategy for PC releases. It is said that major releases like Marvel’s Wolverine are no longer planned for the platform, and these reports have led to many interesting discussions on social media.
The former Blizzard president also joined the conversation, putting an interesting point forward. He believes that Sony’s shift is a clear indication that the gaming giant feels threatened by Valve’s Steam Machine.
According to Mike Ybarra, PlayStation recognizes the Steam Machine as a major competitor. The ex-Blizzard president notes that shipping good exclusives matters, something that will become more relevant for the PS5 and its follow-ups once the Steam Machine enters the fray.
Mike Ybarra also believes third-party variants of the Steam Machine will show up in the future, delivering the same software experience that Valve’s SteamOS is praised for. This would put further pressure on PlayStation as a console brand.
With PlayStation’s previous strategy, the Steam Machine would have the benefit of supporting exclusives from Sony’s internal teams, while also delivering a PC-like experience. As the former Blizzard president notes, it makes sense for PlayStation to rethink its PC push when taking all of this into account.
“They view Valve as a major competitor. Valve doesn’t make many mistakes, and Sony is smart to realize that. Shipping good exclusive games matters.” -Mike Ybarra
It is also important to note that since the next Xbox is said to support third-party storefronts like Epic Games Store and Steam, further porting its PC games would mean that PlayStation content would become accessible on the next-gen Xbox hardware.
As fans point out, a custom PlayStation launcher could address this problem altogether, but if Epic Games’ recent stagnation has shown anything, it’s that Steam’s hold over PC gamers is far too strong to challenge. As such, there is reason to believe that Valve’s recent initiatives have something to do with PlayStation’s sudden pivot.
